Five teams you should put in your accumulator for the EFL Cup

The EFL Cup returns this week and there are a number of big games in the fourth round to keep us interested, despite it largely being an after thought for fans and clubs alike in recent years.

The newly branded domestic cup has been described as 'Mickey Mouse' in the past, with club’s choosing to disregard the importance of winning it and often using it as a chance to give youngsters and fringe players some much needed minutes in the first team.

However, with the footballing landscape changing over the past 12 months or so, there are several reasons why clubs should start taking this competition seriously, particularly if they’re competing at the top end of their respective leagues.

What the EFL Cup provides is the chance to secure silverware midway through the season and, in turn, give the winning club the chance to then turn their attention to much bigger competitors such as the league or Champions League during the second half of the campaign - the FA Cup does not provide such luxuries.

So with a Manchester derby, Liverpool hosting Tottenham and Chelsea travelling to West Ham, we could see the top-flight’s big clubs opting to actually take this competition seriously for once, but don't hold your breath!

That means betting on the EFL Cup this season is a little bit more difficult, but we’re going to have a go at picking five clubs we think you should be backing on your Winner Sports accumulator this week.

Here are the five teams we’re backing, make sure you don’t miss out…

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Arsenal - 1/5

Arsene Wenger is expected to make a number of changes ahead of Reading’s visit to the Emirates Stadium.

It’s a rematch of the incredible 7-5 victory for Arsenal over Reading in the same competition back in October 2012.

Reading have lost all 13 of their previous meetings with Arsenal in all competitions and, given the form Arsenal have been in of late, that run should be extended to 14 on Tuesday night.

Liverpool - 13/20

The EFL Cup represents a good chance for Liverpool to win their first piece of silverware since 2012 when they won this very competition.

Jurgen Klopp’s men lost in the final to Manchester City last term and should be one of the favourites to at least reach the final again.

Liverpool are currently on a nine-game unbeaten run and look very dangerous at home, which should give them the advantage over an equally impressive Spurs side.

Spurs are winless in their last eight meetings against the Reds in all competitions and, given their aims of winning the Premier League and their Champions League commitments, could choose to field a weaker side and give key players a rest ahead of an important run of fixtures.

Newcastle - 2/5

Championship table-toppers Newcastle are expected to rest a number of first-team players for the visit of Preston North End on Tuesday evening.

However, Rafa Benitez’s men should still have more than enough to claim their place in the quarter-final stage of the competition for only the second time in the last decade.

Preston have never reached the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup and have lost their past five meetings with Newcastle in all competitions, failing to score in the past four.

Southampton - 2/5

Southampton have conceded just four goals in their last 10 matches in all competitions, keeping six clean sheets in the process.

Sunderland’s only two victories this season have come in the EFL Cup but their Premier League status should be priority, so expect David Moyes to rest several first team players for this one.

Southampton are also expected to rest players and opt to give a number of fringe players some valuable playing time, but they’ll still have more than enough to beat a struggling Black Cats side.

Bristol City - 5/4

Bristol are in the fourth round of the EFL Cup for the first since 1988/89, when they reached the semi-finals.

The Robins are one of the Championship’s surprise packages this season as they occupy a play-off spot after 14 games.

They are winless in their last six meetings with Hull City in all competitions but it’s clear who will see this competition as more of a priority over their league commitments.

Hull City slipped in to the Premier League’s bottom three over the weekend after a fifth consecutive league defeat, their seventh outing without victory.

Mike Phelan will no doubt have Premier League survival down as his main concern and it will not be a surprise to see Bristol City progress here.