Spurs in confident mood ahead of Arsenal clash
JUST over a week ago, Arsenal’s season was gaining momentum while their arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur were still looking for their first win, but they meet in the League Cup tomorrow with that scenario completely turned on its head.
Tottenham will host the first north London derby of the campaign in high spirits after three wins in eight days, while Arsenal make the short trip to White Hart Lane beaten in their past two games and having three players sent off.
Spurs, who were beaten by Chelsea in last season’s final, have beaten Sunderland and Crystal Palace in the Premier League and FK Qarabag of Azerbaijan in the Europa League and discovered a new scoring hero in Son Heung-min of South Korea who has scored three times in those games.
Arsenal, who made a bright start to their campaign, lost at Dinamo Zagreb last week in the Champions League and were then beaten at Chelsea where they had two players sent off.
While the League Cup, now called the Capital One Cup, is regarded as the season’s lesser prize, both Tottenham and Arsenal would find defeat an unpalatable prospect.
As would Aston Villa and Birmingham City who meet in another derby — their first for five years — tonight.
Villa were booed off when they lost 1-0 to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday and are 17th in the Premier League.
Birmingham, in contrast, have made a solid start in the Championship with just one defeat in seven and are just outside the playoff positions.
Villa manager Tim Sherwood told reporters at his pre-match briefing yesterday the game gave his team the chance to kickstart their season.
“It’s a great occasion and we’re looking forward to it.
“It’s been a difficult start points-wise and it’s a good way to send our fans home happy because they’ve not had many of those this season.”
Aston Villa have won this competition five times but lost to Birmingham in the 1963 final, Birmingham’s last major honour until they beat Arsenal in the 2011 final.
Blues manager Gary Rowett said yesterday he would be putting out his strongest possible team for the trip across town to Villa Park even though promotion was a priority.
The third derby of the round will be at Selhurst Park in south London where Crystal Palace play Charlton Athletic, who ground-shared with Crystal Palace for six years in the 1980s and early 90s while their own ground, The Valley, was out of commission.
Palace, despite losing their past two Premier League games to Manchester City and Tottenham, start as strong favourites to see off their neighbours who are 15th in the Championship.
Holders Chelsea begin the defence of the trophy at League One (third tier) Walsall.
The Saddlers, forever linked with one of English soccer’s greatest upsets after beating Herbert Chapman’s Arsenal in the FA Cup in 1933, have made an excellent start but a victory over Chelsea, no matter what team Jose Mourinho fields, would surpass even their famous exploits of 82 years ago.
Liverpool, who have won the League Cup a record eight times, but are going through a rough patch in the Premier League, play Carlisle United from League Two at Anfield, while Manchester United host Championship promotion contenders Ipswich Town.