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The World Cup’s over and top-flight club football is back with a bang as the Carabao Cup returns this week.
16 teams remain in the competition from the competition’s defending champions, Liverpool, to the team currently stuck at the bottom of League Two, Gillingham. Things might not be so easy for the top-flight teams though, many of which had players enjoy (or not enjoy) lengthy World Cup runs and may not be ready to return for their teams.
Playmaker takes a look at all the games in an intriguing midweek fixture list...
MK Dons v Leicester City
The Dons enjoyed a rare win at the weekend with a 2-0 victory over Portsmouth. However, interim manager Dean Lewington will have to prepare for far more difficult opposition this evening.
Meanwhile, the World Cup came at the wrong time for Leicester. The Foxes had been on an excellent run with five wins and five clean sheets in their last six games in all competitions – only Manchester City spoiled that record.
With MK Dons currently 22nd in League One, it’s hard to look past a Leicester victory.
Newcastle United v Bournemouth
Of course, Newcastle have been in brilliant form this season sitting third in the Premier League and having lost just once all season. Bournemouth meanwhile defeated Everton twice in the space of just a few days going into the international break.
Southampton v Lincoln City
Southampton face Lincoln City for the first time since the two sides bet in the same competition in 1996. Southampton needed a replay that year to get past the Imps. Obviously, there’ll be no replays this time.
It will be a home debut for new manager Nathan Jones. The Welshman took over for Southampton’s defeat away to Liverpool just before the break but will be hoping for a better time during his introduction to the home fans.
Lincoln meanwhile are 14th in League One and have had the weekend off after their game away to Cheltenham Town was postponed.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Gillingham
The Gills are one of the many League Two teams to have their December fixture list disrupted with their last two league games both being postponed. Gillingham haven’t played since defeating National League side Dagenham and Redbridge in the FA Cup early in the month.
Blackburn Rovers v Nottingham Forest
Forest should be a good test for Rovers then. After a poor start to their season in the top flight, Forest picked up a little bit of steam before the break, picking up wins against Crystal Palace and Liverpool in the league and defeating Spurs on their way to this round of the League Cup.
The two sides met at Ewood Park back in February, Steve Cooper’s side were victorious that time with a 2-0 win.
Charlton Athletic v Brighton & Hove Albion
It’s not a good time for Charlton fans. The Addicks are managerless following the sacking of Ben Garner meaning that first-team coach Anthony Hayes will be leading the team out against Brighton.
Charlton have lost five of their last six games in all competitions and are sitting 18th in League One, just four points away from safety. It’s difficult to see a cupset happening.
Brighton meanwhile will be without their World Cup-winning midfielder Alexis Mac Allister but regardless Roberto de Zerbi’s team are likely to progress to the next round.
Manchester United v Burnley
Burnley will go to Old Trafford full of confidence. Vincent Kompany’s team came from behind to defeat Middlesbrough, managed by former United player Michael Carrick. The Championship leaders have been full of goals and have lost just once in their last 22 games.
Manchester City v Liverpool
It’s a familiar clash between Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp. Perhaps surprisingly, it’s one that Guardiola’s team haven’t won in their last five encounters with Klopp getting the upper hand with victories in their last three meetings.
City will want to bounce back from the shock defeat at home to Brentford before the World Cup while Liverpool will want to build on the momentum they have picked up after a relatively poor start to the season.
Once again, it should be a fascinating contest between these two.
Back with a 💥#EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/4GHJeA0Fo7
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) December 20, 2022
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Erling Haaland 10' Riyad Mahrez 47' Nathan Aké 58' | Fábio Carvalho 20' Mohamed Salah 48' |
