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Liverpool, Swansea and Middlesbrough to struggle in EFL Cup, says Charlie Nicholas

Generic Charlie Nicholas image 10/08/2016
Image: Charlie Nicholas predicts early EFL Cup exits for Swansea and Middlesbrough

We've asked Charlie Nicholas to pick out some potential upsets for the EFL Cup second round as Premier League sides enter the competition.

The Soccer Saturday pundit is expecting several top-flight sides to struggle as managers weigh up how many changes to make for the competition.

Liverpool travel to Burton, live on Sky Sports 1 from 7.30pm on Tuesday, looking to bounce back from their defeat at Burnley as one of 15 Premier League outfits looking to avoid an upset.

Here are the ties Charlie suggests looking out for and his Sky Bet tips...

Burton v Liverpool (Tuesday, 7.30pm, Sky Sports 1)

It's been the same old Liverpool, with great spells and defensive problems. They had a great 15 minutes at Arsenal but they weren't brilliant in general and I've been surprised by Jurgen Klopp's defensive signings.

I expected him to go out and sign a top defender with pace and authority but, just like Arsenal, they've taken a risk and seem to be suffering the consequences.

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Burton are a great story. Nigel Clough has typically been quite a defensive manager but he seems to have decided to have a go for it season and there's plenty of goals in them.

They like a comeback but they're also susceptible to letting a lead slip so it should be an interesting one. I'm expecting this to go right to the wire and I can see them taking Liverpool to extra-time.

Charlie predicts: Liverpool to win in extra-time (10/1 with Sky Bet)

Charlie predicts
Charlie predicts

Agree with Charlie? Follow his Sky Bet tip here.

Exeter v Hull

This game has got danger in it for Hull. Mike Phelan will be aware he can't afford to pick up injuries and he'll be tempted to rest a few.

However, this is still his audition for the job and he won't want to lose the momentum they've built up, so it's going to be a balancing act.

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They defended ever so well at Swansea so I think if Phelan doesn't make too many changes then they'll edge this one against a Exeter side that started poorly but won at the weekend.

To ensure my bet is voided if Phelan does play the kids, I'm going for Robert Snodgrass to add to his superb opening weekend goal by scoring in a Hull victory.

Charlie predicts: Snodgrass to score and Hull win (7/2 with Sky Bet)

Northampton v West Brom

One thing Tony Pulis has never been shy of is making changes in the cup. It's all about the league for him.

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He says he still needs players and this is definitely a potential banana skin, but I think he'll use it as an opportunity to get Saido Berahino back in the goals and play him as a central striker, giving Salomon Rondon a rest in the process.

Charlie predicts: West Brom to win and Berahino to score (9/4 with Sky Bet)

Peterborough v Swansea

Peterborough score goals and will really have a go at Swansea. If I was picking one upset, then it would be this one.

I covered Swansea at the weekend and they never really got their shape right. We know Gylfi Sigurdsson is quality but Fernando Llorente's movement was poor and they couldn't make the most of Modou Barrow's pace.

I think you can get at them defensively, especially if they make changes, so I'm backing a Premier League casualty here.

Charlie predicts: Peterborough to win (9/4 with Sky Bet)

Accrington v Burnley (Wednesday 7.30pm, live on Sky Sports 1 HD)

This could be a tricky game for a side focused on survival, but Sean Dyche's mentality is key as he will never show a lack of respect for lower-league opponents.

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He's got two strikers in Sam Vokes and Andre Gray who will be itching to play again after scoring at the weekend, so I don't see Dyche changing his frontline.

He'll maybe make a few small adjustments but Accrington are a good footballing side so I can't see them really unsettling the Clarets.

Charlie predicts: Burnley to win with Vokes and Gray both to score (9/2 with Sky Bet)

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Fulham v Middlesbrough

This is is probably the standout fixture in terms of there not being too much difference between the two sides.

Boro have made an impressive start and Aitor Karanka will definitely make a few changes to keep his side fresh. His priority is undoubtedly the league.

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This wouldn't really be much of an upset but I see it being a really tight game. Perhaps it will be another opportunity for the young lad Ryan Sessegnon to step up again. Young players like him have no fear and he'll be relishing the opportunity to make another headline.

Fulham to win and Sessegnon to score (17/2 with Sky Bet)

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