Carabao Cup: Fulham, Brentford, Wrexham, and Cardiff Headline Opening Day of Round 4
by Geoffrey Ejiga | by Geoffrey Ejiga
Wycombe vs Fulham
The opening game of Round 4 is especially tricky, as Fulham, the favorites in this game, have lost four matches in a row, conceding nine goals. Fulham now travels to face a Wycombe side that's unbeaten in its last five games and only tasted defeat once in its last eight games.
See our expert's best Wycombe vs Fulham prediction for more insights into the outcome.
Still, despite the losses, Fulham should feel confident of claiming a win against Wycombe, a side they beat 2-0 last time they faced in this competition. The difference in team strength will also be a major factor, as Fulham boasts a world-class lineup operating in the first division, compared to Wycombe, which competes in the third division.
However, with Fulham’s abysmal form on the road, which has seen them lose eight of their last 11 away games, a defeat at Wycombe could still be in the works.
Grimsby vs Brentford
Although the best betting odds heavily favour Brentford to come out on top, Grimsby may be in for another shock victory after beating Manchester United in the last round. However, while it's not impossible, it seems unlikely given the significant difference in team quality and division.
While Brentford operates in the English top-flight, Grimsby plays in League Two, which is the fourth division. Grimsby’s form isn't helping their case either, as they've now lost three of their last four games, conceding three goals in all three defeats.
If anything, Brentford may be poised for a multiple-goal win in this game, especially after just beating the defending Premier League champions, Liverpool, by 3-2. Brentford have now made back-to-back wins and three in their last four with victories over Manchester United (3-1) and West Ham (2-0), alongside Liverpool.
Wrexham vs Cardiff
The highlight game for the day might as well be the Wrexham vs Cardiff clash, which pits two championship sides in Round 4 of the EFL cup. Even the odds suggest a tight game that could see any team progress to the next round by full-time or extra time.
Wrexham is slightly favoured by the betting odds, but their stats in recent games tell a different story. While Wrexham has only lost one of its last eight games, that run includes four draws and a loss. The situation at home has also been dire, as they've only won two of their last seven competitive games there.
Cardiff, meanwhile, has seen a fair share of losses but significantly more wins to its name. Although Cardiff has lost three of its last seven games, they won the remaining four. And even more interesting are their away stats. On the road, Cardiff has only lost one game this season, recording five wins and two draws in their eight away games.
