Carling Cup / Dan Fitch / 24 August 2009 / Leave a comment

The Championship and League One go head to head as Leeds take on Watford and Newcastle play Huddersfield. Dan 'The Betting Man' Fitch analyses all the action.

Back Leeds to win @ 2.24; Back over 2.5 goals Leeds v Watford @ 2.06; Back Newcastle to win half time/full time @ 2.6; Back Nile Ranger to score @ 3

Leeds v Watford - Tuesday

Leeds United have got off to a flying start in League One and have won all of their games this season. With their aim set on joining the Championship, they have a chance to test their mettle against Watford on Tuesday night.

Watford are currently twelfth in the Championship, having appointed Malky Mackay to replace the departing Brendan Rodgers in the summer. Rodgers is rumoured to be just one of the managers sniffing around Watford's talismanic Tommy Smith, who has started this season in excellent form.

Smith will be the dangerman against Leeds, but watch out also for Henri Lansbury, who arrived on loan from Arsenal last week.

The man on form for Leeds is Jermaine Beckford, who has four goals this season, while left-winger Bradley Johnson is also in a rich vein of form.

I feel that the home advantage will be enough to see Leeds through. They can be backed at [2.24], with the draw at [3.5] and Watford at [3.6].

Both sides have got goals in them and over 2.5 goals is available at [2.06]. 2-1 to Leeds is [9.2], with a 3-2 thriller priced at [30.0].

Newcastle v Huddersfield - Wednesday

Following Newcastle's relegation, a pre-season that included a 6-1 defeat by Leyton Orient and no manager being appointed, it looked as if the Magpies were destined to struggle this season.

Instead Newcastle seem to be cruising at Championship level and when you look at their side, you can see why. A player like Kevin Nolan is a class above in football's second tier, where even Shola Ameobi has found that he can score goals.

On Wednesday Newcastle host League One outfit Huddersfield in the Carling Cup. The Terriers have got off to a good start this season, which included a 7-1 home victory over Brighton, before being brought back down to earth with a 1-0 defeat at Bristol Rovers over the weekend.

The match sees the return of the Huddersfield manager Lee Clark to his old club, but I've a feeling that it won't be a happy reunion.

Newcastle have a thin squad, so have no choice but to field a fairly strong starting line-up. Caretaker boss Chris Hughton may choose to give some experience to the highly rated young striker Nile Ranger and some other fringe players, but I expect the Magpies will still be too strong. Ranger will be priced at around [3.0] to score.

The home side are [1.58], with the draw [4.3] and Huddersfield [5.4]. Newcastle will be better value at around [2.6] to be winning at half time/full time, with 2-0 likely to be about [7.5] and 3-0 [12.0].

Tags: carling cup betting, carling cup match preview, carling cup odds, leeds v watford, newcastle v huddersfield