Stoke vs. Fleetwood (Tuesday, 7.30pm)
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Championship side Stoke City will be hoping to progress from the third round of the EFL Cup when they host League Two club Fleetwood Town on Tuesday at the Bet365 Stadium.
The home team beat Middlesbrough 5-0 in the previous round of the competition on August 27, while the visitors emerged 2-1 victors in the second round against Rotherham United on the same date.
We say: Stoke City 1-2 Fleetwood Town
Given that Fleetwood have already beaten two sides from higher divisions in the EFL Cup this season, it would not be surprising if they were to do so again on Tuesday.
Additionally, if Stoke field a similarly youthful XI to the one that beat Middlesbrough, the visitors could look to take advantage of their hosts' inexperience.
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Brentford vs. Leyton Orient (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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Premier League side Brentford are set to host League One team Leyton Orient on Tuesday at the Gtech Community Stadium in the third round of the EFL Cup.
The Bees narrowly beat Colchester United 1-0 in the second round of the tournament on August 28, while the visitors overcame Millwall 1-0 on August 27th to progress to this stage of the competition.
We say: Brentford 3-1 Leyton Orient
If Brentford are able to replicate their first-half performance against Manchester City on Tuesday, then they should be clear favourites to progress.
It would not be surprising if the Bees took an early lead against Leyton Orient, and considering the visitors' struggles this season, it is difficult to see them getting back into the game in that scenario.
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Blackpool vs. Sheff Weds (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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Blackpool are set to take on Sheffield Wednesday at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday evening in the 2024-25 EFL Cup third round.
The hosts defeated Burton Albion and Blackburn Rovers to progress to this round, while the visitors have triumphed against Hull City and Grimsby Town.
We say: Blackpool 1-2 Sheffield Wednesday
While the hosts are on a positive run of form heading into this encounter, undefeated in their last five outings, the visitors compete at a higher level and should possess a stronger squad, suggesting Sheff Weds will win this one.
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Preston vs. Fulham (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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Preston North End are set to face Premier League side Fulham at Deepdale on Tuesday evening, aiming to pull off an upset in the third round of the 2024-25 EFL Cup.
The hosts have defeated Sunderland and Harrogate Town to advance to this stage, while the visitors beat Birmingham City 2-0 in their second-round contest.
We say: Preston North End 0-2 Fulham
Fulham will be clear favourites for a comfortable victory heading into this match owing to their strong start to the season, and with Preston struggling in recent outings, we expect a victory for the visitors.
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Everton vs. Southampton (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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Everton and Southampton will look to put dreadful league starts behind them when they meet at Goodison Park in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night.
These are the only two clubs yet to pick up a point in the Premier League so far this season, with hosts Everton making their worst start to a campaign for 66 years.
We say: Everton 1-1 Southampton (Southampton win on pens)
Nothing seems to be going right for Everton, even when things look like they are improving, as their two recent collapses show, and another defeat here will be hugely demoralising for the home support.
In a game where both sides could make many personnel changes, there could be little to separate the two in a scrappy encounter, which may go all the way to the dreaded spot kicks.
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QPR vs. Crystal Palace (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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Crystal Palace are set to travel to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium to face Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday evening in the third round of the 2024-25 EFL Cup.
The hosts defeated Cambridge United and Luton Town in the first two rounds, while the visitors comfortably progressed past Norwich City with a 4-0 win in the second round.
We say: Queens Park Rangers 1-3 Crystal Palace
The hosts may be on a positive run of form while the visitors have been struggling of late, but Crystal Palace boast a much stronger squad and should comfortably win this one.
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Man Utd vs. Barnsley (Tuesday, 8.00pm)
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Manchester United host Barnsley in the EFL Cup Third Round on Tuesday, with the League One club being rewarded for getting this far with a dream draw at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils won this competition 18 months ago, providing Erik ten Hag with his first piece of silverware at the club, and they come into the tie on the back of a morale-boosting victory at the weekend.
We say: Manchester United 2-0 Barnsley
United are set to rotate heavily with important domestic and European games on the horizon, but even their second-string side should have enough to overcome third-tier opposition here.
Barnsley have made a promising start in their hunt for promotion, but a cup run now looks unlikely given the stature of their opposition.
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> Defensive injury crisis? Manchester United predicted lineup vs. Barnsley
> De Ligt, Martinez latest: Man United injury and suspension list vs. Barnsley
