Both these sides are dangerous going forward but suspect at the back – each has had a high score draw in recent game (Spurs 2-2 with Everton, Man City 3-3 with Bolton). They are evenly matched, not afraid to attack, and neither want to lose. A scoredraw is on the menu – and we will take 3-3 and 4-4 at tasty odds.

Correct Score 3-3 @ 66/1 (Totesport, Victor Chandler) – 0.5 points

Correct Score 4-4 @ 300/1 (Bet365) – 0.5 points

The key to the Carling Cup is picking which top sides rest players and could be vulnerable, and which will take it ’seriously’ and put out full strength teams, making their price attractive.

One side that will definitely be gunning for the trophy are Man City. They have no European distractions and a big squad, and against a Fulham side that Roy Hodgson has said will already rest players, and are poor away from home, the 4/9 on offer in places is appealing.

Chelsea are a slightly different proposition – they may rest some of their stars (Drogba for example) but Joe Cole and Zuri Zhirkov come in, and they should have far too much for QPR, however much the away side are ‘up for it’.

The double comes up best priced at SkyBet, paying a combined 1.71 (Chelsea 2/9 and Man City 2/5)

Man City and Chelsea Double @ 1.71 (SkyBet) – 2 points

One that stands out early, is the Man City – Forest game.

Mark Hughes will be desperate to get City into some sort of rhythm after their hugely inconsistent start to the season, and a morale boosting win in the cup will do wonders. They have been free-scoring at home; despite a 5-0-5 record, they have scored 24 goals in those 10 games, the most in the Premiership by a clear four. Forest have conceded 22 goals in 13 away games in the Championship.

With Man City’s leaky defence (30 goals conceded in 20 matches) and their potent frontline, and Forest’s capacity for conceding away from home, the 1.71 available on over 2.5 goals looks appealing.

Billy Davies will not have had time to make a tangible difference – and watches this one from the stands.

Team news is that although Ireland and Robinho miss out, Elano starts.