Capital One Cup: Sunderland big value to lift trophy

And then there were four.

The Capital One Cup will be won this year by one of Manchester City 1.9110/11, Manchester United 2.747/4, Sunderland 12.523/2 and West Ham United 19.018/1 and the way the balls have dropped have significantly enhanced the chances of an all-Manchester final.

Of course, as the odds suggest, the final that everyone wants is the most likely occurrence as rampaging City are expected to see off West Ham and United to do the same to the Mackems, but as shown in the quarter-finals and Bradford's miraculous run to the final last year, expect the unexpected in the Capital One Cup.

At the outright win prices, it's hard not to be taken by the 12.523/2 on offer about relegation threatened Sunderland lifting the trophy.

Let's get this straight; of the two underdogs Gus Poyet's men have the easier draw.

Sunderland have shown already this term, despite being bottom of the league, that a big-boy bashing can be conjured up at the Stadium of Light. Just ask Man City, Chelsea and Newcastle fans. Meanwhile, Old Trafford is no longer the fortress it once was with West Brom, Newcastle, Southampton and Everton all avoiding defeat there this season. Over the two-legs the Mackems have better claims than their odds suggest.  

Poyet, who won this competition as a player with Chelsea, is also manager that relishes and embraces a cup run and he specialises in giant-killings. Along with the Chelsea win, Poyet orchestrated two FA Cup beatings on Newcastle when manager of Brighton. He will like nothing more than to lead his side to a Wembley final.

However, as Wigan Athletic and Birmingham City have shown in recent years, combining a fruitful cup run with positive league results is an almost impossible task. The curtain came down on the Latics great escape act last season when their heads were turned courtesy of a stunning FA Cup run, while Brum slowly but surely fell towards the trapdoor following a memorable win at Wembley over Arsenal in 2011.

Even the last two Capital One Cup winners have suffered a Wembley hangover. Liverpool, who won everyone's favourite meaningless competition in 2012, won just three of their last 14 Premier League games after their day out in north west London and last year's victors Swansea recorded just two league successes from their 12-game run-in.
Sunderland haven't got the squad or resources to go full-throttle on both fronts and if, as predicted, they make it to Wembley, their quest for Premier League points to survive will undoubtedly become harder. With this theory at the forefront of our punting minds, adding further bulk to your Sunderland cup win by backing them to also finish bottom of the Premier League looks a tactic to consider.

Best Bet: Sunderland to win the Capital One Cup @ 12.523/2

Recommended Bet: Sunderland to finish bottom @ 3.613/5