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After the drama of Sunday, these two heavyweights do battle - with much-changed line-ups - in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday. Adam Bate is expecting more goals

Do you think there is a chance that the fixture between these two sides might have been overshadowed?

Chelsea could be forgiven for becoming distracted by the allegations surrounding referee Mark Clattenburg after Sunday’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester United but the players do not seem down.

Midfielder Juan Mata explained in his blog: “I prefer to be positive. We were very competitive against a great rival and we fought back from 2-0 down.”

That positivity could be key in Wednesday’s Capital One Cup clash between the teams and with Sir Alex Ferguson having shown more willingness to rotate that Roberto Di Matteo they are favourites.

Chelsea fielded a strong side in the last round against Wolves, including the likes of John Terry, Ramires, Mata and Fernando Torres – and that’s reflected in the prices here.

Chelsea are 5/4 (2.25) with Bet365 to win the match and 4/6 (1.67) to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Manchester United are 2/1 (3.00) underdogs with Bet365 to win this one in normal time and 11/10 (2.10) to find a way through to the next round.

The draw is available at 5/2 (3.50) but be aware this will be settled on the night and goals are likely given the two teams are not expected to be so well-drilled defensively.

Both teams can be backed to score at 8/15 (1.53) with Bet365, although there is slightly more value in going over 2.5 goals at 8/13 (1.62).

But this fixture does encourage a more ambitious bet. Over 4.5 goals has paid out six times in United’s last 12 games and in seven of Chelsea’s 15 matches this season.

That suggests punters can expect to see plenty of goals again on Wednesday evening and over 4.5 can be backed here at 7/2 (4.50) with Bet365 and looks to be the pick of the options in this one.

In the goalscorers market, Chelsea’s Daniel Sturridge should start in the absence of the suspended Torres and is 7/1 (8.00) to net first with Bet365.

But Javier Hernandez is also likely to start and will be hoping to carry on where left off after scoring the winner at the weekend.

The Mexico international has three goals in four starts this season and at 9/1 (10.00) with Bet365 to score first at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday that seems to be the value bet here.

BET

OF THE

DAY

BEST BET

VALUE BET

Over 4.5 goals at 7/2 (4.50) with Bet365

Javier Hernandez to score first at 9/1 (10.00) with Bet365

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Adam Bate is a professional freelance journalist who specialises in football and betting. He is editor of GhostGoal which can be found here - you can also follow Adam on

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