The first round of the 2023/24 EFL will be played out across the nights of the August 8 and 9, with the 70 clubs of the Championship, League One and League Two all getting a first taste of knockout football for the campaign.
Last year this stage was a bloodbath for representatives of the second tier, with no fewer than 12 of their number eliminated by opposition from lower layers of the footballing pyramid. Our EFL Cup betting tips for the 2023/24 edition foresee further giant killings.
EFL Cup Round 1 best bets
Stevenage to beat Watford @ 2/1
Norwich to beat QPR @ 13/10
Gillingham to beat Southampton @ 4/1
Bet on the latest EFL Cup odds at Betzone
Borough can kick start another cup run at Broadhall Way
Stevenage developed a knack for knocking out higher division foes in last season’s cup competitions. When still plying their trade in League Two they eliminated Championship Reading and League One Peterborough from the EFL Cup and, even more impressively, Aston Villa from the FA Cup.
Borough had the best home record in their division last term and kicked off this campaign with a 1-0 away win at the weekend. Watford thumped a woeful QPR side 4-0 on Saturday, but they’re likely to rest some would-be first teamers for this fixture and could pay the price.
Tip: Stevenage to beat Watford @ 2/1
Odds-against Canaries well priced to pile more pain on the R’s
As discussed, QPR were worryingly poor against Watford at the weekend and have now lost nine of the 14 games they’ve played since former player Gareth Ainsworth took over in the dugout.
The Rangers fans sung “you don’t know what you’re doing” in Ainsworth’s direction at Vicarage Road and it’s likely that those bad vibes won’t have dissipated in time for this Loftus Road clash.
Norwich would have made it into the Championship playoffs last term if only away form was counted and arrive in decidedly better form having beaten Hull 2-1 at Carrow Road on the opening day.
Tip: Norwich to beat QPR @ 13/10
Saints may succumb to a Gills side growing in confidence
Southampton were arguably value for more than the 2-1 margin of victory they secured against Sheffield Wednesday last Friday, but an EFL Cup away trip to Priestfield is a different matter.
Neil Harris completely rejuvenated Gillingham with the help of a mid-season cash infusion from a new American part owner and they won nine of their last 12 home games of the campaign. The Gills appear to be serious promotion candidates after beating Stockport (pre-season second favourites to win League Two) away on the opening day.
Meanwhile, immediate promotion back to the Premier League is the objective that dwarves all others for the Saints this term.
The temptation to rest players on Tuesday with this in mind will hard to avoid, while the club’s money men would ideally prefer to avoid getting their more saleable assets cup-tied while the transfer window remains open.
