Carling Cup / Mike Norman / 02 December 2008 / Leave a comment

The last two teams to defeat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge go head-to-head in tonight's live offering of Carling Cup football and Mike Norman is hoping for a home win. Meanwhile, can Stoke's impressive start to a season stretch to a semi-final appearance?

While Burnley will be largely unchanged from the side that overcame Chelsea on penalties in the previous round, the Arsenal line-up will be unrecognisable from the one that defeated Phil Scolari's men on Sunday as, once again, Arsene Wenger will insist on giving youth its chance.

The Match Odds market has Burnley available to back at [5.1], The Draw at [3.8] and Arsenal the favourites at [1.83] - [1.84] if you want to lay them.

Burnley manager Owen Coyle has almost a fully fit squad to choose from with only slight doubts surrounding midfielder Wade Elliott and defender Christian Kalvenes. Top scorer Martin Paterson has built up a terrific understanding with strike partner Robbie Blake and will look to net his 12th goal of the season tonight. Ex-Manchester United starlet Chris Eagles is leading the club's assist rankings and will be a constant threat to the Arsenal rearguard.

Wenger will opt for a young looking line-up, with Mikael Silvestre and Nicklas Bendtner the only first-team regulars on show. All eyes will be on the emerging talents of Carlos Vela, who looks a natural in front of goal, and British trio Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Jay Simpson.

Burnley are on a fantastic run at Turf Moor and are now unbeaten in 11 games which has seen them record an impressive eight clean sheets. The Clarets are available to back at [5.5] to record another clean sheet against the Gunners.

The Arsenal team that will feature tonight has recorded two resounding victories already in this competition, beating Sheffield United 6-0 and Wigan 3-0. Another clean sheet tonight is not as likely with the Yes option available to back at [2.52] and the No option at [1.54].

Backed by a passionate and boisterous full house, Burnley must get their noses in front if they are to progress to their first semi-final in this competition since 1983. A goal in the first half will do them wonders, and rather than back the home side at [5.1] to win the game, an investment on Burnley/Burnley at [10.5] in the Half Time/Full Time market is more appealing - Burnley have scored first half goals in 66% of all their victories this season.

Arsenal will look to silence the home support as quickly as possible and will doubtless be trying to score early themselves. Arsenal/Arsenal is available at [3.0] in the same market.

Passionate atmospheres, nervy players and David v Goliath cup ties (ok, that may be stretching it a bit) tend to produce a lot of drama and, more importantly, goals. For this reason I think the [1.95] odds on offer about Over 2.5 Goals must be considered as a serious betting opportunity, though if you disagree (as many will) you can get matched at [2.02] for Under 2.5 Goals.

Over 3.5 Goals ([3.35]) and Over 4.5 Goals ([6.4]) are other options for in-running punters looking to profit early from a few first half goals.

Predicting a correct score is an impossible task for this game and my advice would be to play to small stakes in this market. For the record, a 1-1 draw is the favourite at [8.2], just ahead of 1-0 and 2-1 wins for Arsenal - available to back at [8.6] and [9.6] respectively.

A trio of Arsenal players are fancied to score the first goal of the game, namely Carlos Vela [6.0], Bendtner [6.6] and Simpson [7.4], but my money, in hope of a home victory, will be on the in-form Martin Paterson at [9.8].

In the night's other Carling Cup fixture, Premiership side Stoke City are available to back at [1.78] to progress past Championship side Derby County [5.5], with The Draw being on offer at [3.85].

Tony Pulis is unlikely to make as many changes as in previous rounds now that a semi-final is the reward for victory, and with Derby boss Paul Jewell facing a defensive headache (three central defenders out injured for the game), the home side have to be the favourites to prevail.

Stoke/Stoke at [2.96] is the call in the Half Time/Full Time market, whilst scorelines of 2-0 ([9.4]) and 3-0 ([19.0]) are my preferred choices in the Correct Score market.