With eight teams safely through to the 2019-20 Carabao Cup Fourth Round, Wednesday’s big tie sees League One’s Burton Albion take on Bournemouth of the Premier League at the Pirelli Stadium.
Burton last season famously reached the semi-finals before losing to eventual champions – Manchester City, but face a tougher test this time round as they take on an ever improving Bournemouth team who have lost in the Quarter-Finals in each of the past two seasons.
Team news
John-Joe O’ Toole is set to be available for Burton after completing a suspension.
Colin Daniel is also out through suspension whilst John Brayford (calf), Jake Buxton (ribs), Stephen Quinn (knee) and Scott Fraser (ankle) are all unlikely to feature.
Bournemouth’s Eddie Howe could hand Lloyd Kelly and Simon Francis starts as the pair continue their comebacks from respective ankle and knee injuries, whilst rotating his squad.
Arnaut Danjuma could also make his debut as he continues to regain match fitness, after a foot injury prevented his inclusion in the matchday squad so far this season.
David Brooks (ankle), Dan Gosling (groin), Charlie Daniels, Junior Stanislas (both knee) and Adam Smith (thigh) are all ruled out.
Stat Attack
- This is the first League Cup meeting between Burton and Bournemouth.
- Burton Albion have lost all four meetings with Bournemouth in all competitions, although they scored their first goal against the Cherries in their last meeting in January 2014.
- Bournemouth have won two previous cup clashes by a combined aggregate of 12-1 with both results coming in the FA Cup.
- Burton have netted three goals in their last four League Cup clashes against Premier League opposition.
- Bournemouth have lost two of their last three away League Cup ties, although both defeats came in the Quarter-Finals against Chelsea.
Prediction
I am expecting a good game here because Bournemouth’s B team isn’t the most consistent as we saw against a difficult Forest Green in the last round, although their first team have stepped up their performance lately so those featuring will pose a tough test.
Burton however haven’t been consistent themselves this season, which is a worry against a Bournemouth side who have been dominant in their last two outings with brilliant pace and attacks.
I therefore can see Burton taking the game to Bournemouth early on but the Cherries should eventually have enough to overwhelm their hosts.
Prediction: Burton Albion 1-3 Bournemouth
Result: Burton Albion 2-0 Bourenmouth