TUESDAY:
BOURNEMOUTH V LEICESTER
Bournemouth competed well against Man City on Saturday where they had some good chances and were unlucky not to come away with at least a point.
The only games that the Cherries have won in 2024 have been in the FA Cup and they'll need to carry their cup form into the league if they're to avoid slipping further down the table.
Leicester are flying in the Championship this season but they have had a slight wobble recently following back to back defeats to Middlesbrough and Leeds. They should still win the title and comfortably despite this recent blip.
Enzo Maresca's side will look to show what kind of side Bournemouth could be facing next season and I think they'll cause an upset here.
PREDICTION: 1-2
BLACKBURN V NEWCASTLE
Blackburn have struggled in the Championship this season yet they have the division's top goal scorer in Sammie Szmodics who will probably be a Premier League player next season. I think he could cause Newcastle a number of problems here.
Newcastle have struggled away from home this season but they have won all but one of their away games since the turn of the year, including their cup victories over Sunderland and Fulham.
Eddie Howe will want to take his side far in this competition so his side can take some sort of pride out of this season which has been tough for them at times.
They'll definitely win this one and they'll have more than enough quality to see themselves through against an out of form Rovers side.
PREDICTION: 1-3
LUTON V MAN CITY
Luton pushed City close when they met in the league before Christmas and Rob Edwards will want his side to show the same spirit they showed in that game in this one.
Man City grinded out a win at Bournemouth at the weekend and it's what all top teams do when challenging for a league title.
Pep Guardiola always plays a strong team in the cup competitions which shows how seriously he takes them. He will make changes in this one but I still think he'll field a strong enough team due to how strong City's squad is.
Luton will show some spirit like they have whenever they've taken on the big teams in the Premier League. But I think City will be too strong for them because of how strong their squad is.
PREDICTION: 1-3
WEDNESDAY:
CHELSEA V LEEDS
How will Chelsea pick themselves up after losing the Carabao Cup final on Sunday? That game will definitely feel like a big opportunity missed for the blues as they missed some very good chances in normal time before a poor showing in extra time.
Losing that cup final will hurt them but it will hopefully be an experience that POchettino's young team can learn from.
Leeds have been on fire in the Championship since the turn of the year and their form has lead them into the automatic promotion places.
Daniel Farke's side will definitely have a go at Chelsea as they're a side who like to play on the front foot. But I think they'll leave gaps in behind which will then get exploited.
Chelsea might feel a bit fatigued having gone through extra time in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday. But I think they'll pick themselves up and progress to the next round.
PREDICTION: 3-1
NOTTINGHAM FOREST V MAN UNITED
Nottingham Forest beat United when the two sides met at the City Ground in December and they might fancy themselves to upset them again. Especially with United missing some key players through injury.
Man United got outmuscled by Fulham on Saturday as they couldn't cope with their intensity and pressing. They weren't helped by the injury to Rasmus Hojlund who was a big miss for them as they lacked that focal point and goal threat up top.
They're set to be without Hojlund for the next 2-3 weeks which is a massive blow for them as he was in such good form and the team were looking more together as a unit.
Because of Hojlund not being available alongside some of the other key players they have out, I think Forest could shock United once again like they did at new year.
PREDICTION: 2-1
WOLVES V BRIGHTON
Wolves weren't at their best against Sheffield United yesterday as Gary O'Neil suggested when he said that it wasn't champagne football from his side. But they still got the job done and could potentially push for a place in Europe next season.
O'Neil would love to take his side far in this competition and he definitely can with the form his team are in. A cup run alongside a brilliant league season would mark an outstanding season for Wolves.
Brighton reached the semi finals of this competition last season and are having another decent season in the league with the Seagulls again pushing for Europe.
Roberto De Zerbi's side reached the semi finals of this competition last season and he'll again be looking to take his side far again this season.
The Seagulls brushed Wolves aside 4-1 when the two sides met at Molineux at the start of the season and I think they'll claim the victory again in this one. But I don't see it being as comfortable.
PREDICTION: 0-2
LIVERPOOL V SOUTHAMPTON
Liverpool won the Carabao Cup on Sunday and winning that competition will give them the hunger and motivation to win more silverware this season, including the FA Cup.
The young players impressed massively on Sunday and I think Jurgen Klopp will reward some of them with a start in this game. Especially with a number of players being out injured.
Southampton have wobbled a bit in the Championship recently losing three of their last four games off the back of going on the best run in their history. They are however still in contention for promotion this season.
Russell Martin's side have been great to watch in the Championship this season and they'll want to have a good go here as they're a side who want to play on the front foot and go after teams.
Liverpool may feel slightly fatigued having played extra time in the Carabao Cup final. But the reds should still have enough quality to see themselves through to the next round.
PREDICTION: 3-1
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