Newly-promoted teams to side with and against

Championship clubs fell left, right and centre in last year's EFL Cup first round

The Premier League returns this weekend after it’s FA Cup hiatus and there’s plenty of nip-tuck tussles on a competitive coupon leading up to a Sunday teatime climax when Tottenham host Manchester City.

Both of our Carabao Cup semi-finals best bets landed in last week’s first legs. We’re back to build on that bankroll with two more selections ahead of the second instalments of the Newcastle vs Southampton and Manchester United last-four ties.

The relentless post-World-Cup football schedule continues apace in midweek with the Carabao Cup semi-final first legs. Southampton host Newcastle on Tuesday night before Manchester United visit Nottingham Forest the following evening.

Struggling Southampton take on high-flying Newcastle in the first of two League Cup semi-finals tomorrow evening, with a place in a Wembley final the reward for the side which triumphs over the two legs.