The Carling Cup is not the most glamorous cup competition in the world but it is a great opportunity for some so called 'smaller' Premier League teams to have success and get into Europe.
For years there has been some discussion about the merits of the Carling Cup, with some managers putting out under strength sides, as they see the competition as a burden, have disrespected it to a fair degree. Those looking at the Carling Cup betting will be aware of this.
The competition remains important however and can provide a side with the chance to get into the Europa League, while it can also capture the imagination of fans with a trip to Wembley and increase overall optimism around the club.
Aston Villa could be dark horses to win the Carling Cup this season, especially considering their boss Alex McLeish led Birmingham to victory at Wembley in the competition last season. Anyone placing a Carling Cup bet should remember how upsets often occur.
They have a strong squad and the boss has shown in the past he is willing to give the Carling Cup a fair crack of the whip. Villa fans have been starved of any real success for years and a Wembley date, coupled with a trophy win, would well and truly win over any fans still questioning McLeish's appointment.
While the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City remain in the draw they will be the big scalps, but tradition usually shows the majority of these top teams drop out of the Carling Cup before the latter stages.
The top four sides also tend to put out reserve and youth team players for the competition which, while it gives fans a chance to see these new faces, it does undervalue the competition.
It would be better for football for a smaller side to win the Carling Cup rather that see a youth team make the final, only for the big guns to be rolled out at Wembley.
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