Capital One Cup Tips: Bolton to rise to Chelsea mission

(All games start at 19:45 on Wednesday unless stated)

Chelsea v Bolton

Match Odds: Chelsea 1.222/9, Bolton 16.531/2, The Draw 7.87/1

Whereas Chelsea have started the season ominously to assume a three-point Premier League lead, the only thing assumed at Bolton is that they are grateful for Huddersfield, Blackpool and Fulham's existence keeping them out of the Championship drop zone despite five points from eight games.

One factor to thin the quality gap between these sides rather significantly is the indication from Jose Mourinho that Diego Costa almost certainly won't start. When he has done, the Blues have won four and drawn at champions Man City; the one time that he didn't, they were held at home by Schalke.

Remarkably, Chelsea have triumphed in just one of their past six Capital One Cup ties at Stamford Bridge. With Bolton never losing by more than one goal in any of their prior eight away dates in the competition, there is a case for backing former semi-finalist Dougie Freedman's men with a headstart.

Recommended Bet: Back Bolton (+2) to win @ 2.829/5

Man City v Sheffield Wednesday

Match Odds: Man City 1.282/7, Sheffield Wednesday 13.525/2, The Draw 6.86/1

Man City spirits should be high after they went some way to proving that they remain the best team in the country by outshining Premier League pacesetters Chelsea in their 1-1 draw last time out.

Visitors Sheffield Wednesday are massively outperforming this writer's expectations in the Championship, occupying a play-off spot eight matches into the campaign, but holders Man City have regularly shown that they can score past any opponent at ease in the Capital One Cup.

They struck in both halves of six of their previous eight competition encounters, including two in which they were eliminated (against Liverpool in 2011/12 and Aston Villa in 2012/13), so the Owls appear doomed to a rare disappointing day defensively.

Recommended Bet: Back Man City to score in both halves @ 1.758/11

Crystal Palace v Newcastle (20:00)

Match Odds: Crystal Palace 2.6613/8, Newcastle 2.9215/8, The Draw 3.4549/20

There have been times when Neil Warnock's ubiquitous "Marmite" tag has felt generous, due to him possessing far more haters than lovers (then again, so does Marmite!). However, there is a real feel-good vibe to his second Crystal Palace stint so far, partly for the genuine gratitude and joy that he appears to feels at being there, and also for the on-field enjoyment that his team are providing.

His first three games back have delivered 11 strikes, the most enthralling being a 3-3 draw with Newcastle at St James' Park. With the Capital One Cup usually even more conducive to high scores and all bar one of Palace's six 2014/15 going over 2.5 goals, that has the go-to bet at above evens.

Recommended Bet: Back over 2.5 goals @ 2.0421/20