Carabao Cup Preview

The quarterfinal matches of the Carabao Cup take place Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Manchester United is home to League One Charlton while Newcastle hosts Leicester on Tuesday. Manchester United has been on a tear of late and Manager Eric ten Hag is unlikely to allow his charges to be complacent in their bid to progress to the semifinals despite facing a much lesser opponent. Leicester’s difficult season would be brightened by an extension of their cup run but the Foxes will be hard pressed to get a result at Newcastle’s St. James Park. Newcastle Manager Eddie Howe prioritized Tuesday’s match by resting key players in an FA Cup loss over the weekend. Not getting a result versus the Foxes would bring resounding criticism down upon Howe’s strategic ploy. Wednesday action has Wolves travelling to Nottingham Forest while Southampton hosts Manchester City. Nottingham Forest also rested key players in an FA Cup loss over the weekend. Wolves, playing well under new manager Julen Lopetegui, put in a strong effort in Saturday’s 2-2 FA Cup draw with Liverpool as Lopetegui paid more respect to the FA Cup competition than did Nottingham Forest Manager Steve Cooper. Southampton is home to Manchester City Wednesday. The Saints only prayer in that match could rest upon the Citizens looking ahead to their weekend Manchester derby. Southampton, however, will be hard pressed in their bid to advance to the semifinals. The talent differential between the clubs, no matter which players Manager City Manager Pep Guardiola chooses to field at St. Mary’s, would point towards the Citizens continuing their quest for a sixth Carabao Cup championship in the last eight years.