William Mbaho, September 21st, 2010
Sept. 21-22
The third round of the Carling Cup offers some tantalising fixtures between big name clubs, and fantasy match ups for smaller teams. The action gets underway when Tottenham host North London rivals Arsenal. New Aston villa boss Gerard Houllier will finally make his highly anticipated debut, since taking over as manager from Martin O’Neill.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp
Tuesday September 21st, 2:45PM EST
Sunderland host West Ham at the Stadium of Light. The match is the fourth occasion the teams have met in the League Cup, with the victories shared evenly.
The Black Cats are missing several key players; however, Sunderland manager Steve Bruce will be looking to start his big summer signing Asamoah Gyan in a forward role. West Ham have only won once since the start of the season, and manager Avram Grant will be looking to rectify the situation.
Sunderland have lost only one game so far this season, and the Black Cats will be confident after their late draw against Arsenal over the weekend. The Hammers will be bolstered in defense with the expected return of Tal Ben Haim from a knee injury.
Tuesday September 21st, 2:45PM EST
Stoke City host Fulham at the Britannia Stadium, with both sides making wholesale changes to their starting line-ups. The sides last met in the Carling Cup in 1994, and Stoke won the tie.
Stoke may rest several key players injured in last weekend’s league action. Winger Jermaine Pennant and forward Kenwyne Jones are two key players expected not to start. Striker Eidur Gudjohnsen is likely to replace Jones in attack.
Fulham are missing two important defensive players in Fredrik Stoor and Rafik Halliche, both due to injuries. Club manager Mark Hughes is still trying to assert his own reputation at the club, after the summer departure of Roy Hodgson to Liverpool.
Tuesday September 21st, 2:45PM EST
Tottenham host Arsenal at White Hart Lane, and their seventh League Cup encounter is expected to be fiercely contested. A desperate chase for silverware is on for the both clubs, with Spurs looking more aggressive for the tie having announced the team will play several senior players, while Arsenal will likely field a reserve side.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp could debut new Dutch signing Rafael van der Vaart in the Carling Cup, to play alongside first team players Roman Pavyluchenko and Niko Kranjcar. Arsenal’s policy of giving their inexperienced players a chance at cup competition will worry Gunners fans currently low on morale now that several stars are out injured.
Untested Arsenal players will see this as a chance to audition in front of manager Arsene Wenger for first team play. Tottenham’s squad selection positions the club as favourites heading into the derby, and home pitch advantage will have Spurs fans expecting nothing less than victory. A win for Arsenal will only reinforce Wenger’s belief in his approach, and bring lesser known players to the forefront.