Wednesday 21 September 2016 19:51, UK
Charlie Nicholas returns with his second set of predictions ahead of Wednesday's EFL Cup third round matches.
Manchester United will be looking to end a three-match losing run when they travel to Sky Bet League One outfit Northampton Town, live on Sky Sports 1 HD, and you can watch all the goals from the seven other ties as they go in on Gillette Soccer Special.
Can Manchester United stop the rot? How will Spurs cope without Harry Kane? Charlie offers his predictions for Wednesday night's games...
Northampton v Man Utd - 7.45pm, Sky Sports 1 HD
If Jose Mourinho needs momentum then this game should be perfect for him. You can see there are issues in the team - there are big egos and they are finding it tough to adapt. Mourinho will be telling his players he wants to win this trophy because he knows it will take the pressure off him.
The other teams will make changes and, while we probably won't see Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Wayne Rooney start, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford will, while Paul Pogba should get a chance in Rooney's position.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: Northampton 0-4 Man Utd, Martial to score first (45/1 with Sky Bet)
Fulham v Bristol City - 7.45pm
These are two teams who have a habit of scoring goals. Bristol City have actually surprised me so far and look quite bright. Lee Johnson has got them organised and believing in themselves.
This will be a tight game and I can see it going the distance.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: Fulham 1-1 Bristol City, City to win on penalties (11/1 with Sky Bet)
QPR v Sunderland - 7.45pm
This is another awkward one for Sunderland. Does this competition matter to them? Another defeat keeps them down and the only way they can change this slump is with results.
If David Moyes plays a strong team and loses then he'll get even more stick, but he needs a result. He might rest Jermain Defoe as the home game against Crystal Palace at the weekend is huge for the Black Cats.
Both sides have been in a bit of a mess and it's not going to be a great game, but I'm going for Duncan Watmore to edge it in the visitors' favour.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: QPR 0-1 Sunderland, Watmore to score first (40/1 with Sky Bet)
Southampton v Crystal Palace - 7.45pm
This is an interesting one and it could well be the tie of the round. I think both teams to score is a great bet, with both sides playing positively after good results at the weekend.
I don't quite get Claude Puel's persistence of putting Charlie Austin on the bench because he's the goalscorer in the pack but I think he will partner Jay Rodriguez in attack.
Palace might change a few things, although they'll also be keen to maintain the momentum they got from thumping Stoke on Sunday.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: Southampton 3-2 Crystal Palace, Austin to score first (80/1 with Sky Bet)
Swansea v Manchester City - 7.45pm
There will be quite a few changes in the Man City group, but they can afford that with the quality they've got.
Francesco Guidolin will think they might as well keep going for it as they need a win to get themselves going again.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: Swansea 1-2 Man City, Kelechi Iheanacho to score first (20/1 with Sky Bet)
West Ham v Accrington - 7.45pm
West Ham are another team that need a result badly. They also need to tell Michail Antonio to stop scoring goals or he's going to get hunted by a big side!
This is also an opportunity to get a first win at the London Stadium since their victory over Bournemouth. Slaven Bilic is certainly getting frustrated, I expect there to be anger in the Hammers camp.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: West Ham 3-0 Accrington, Cheikhou Kouyate to score first (45/1 with Sky Bet)
Stoke v Hull - 8pm
This is another tie which pairs two teams needing a result. Mike Phelan obviously hasn't got many options to change his Hull side.
Mark Hughes' players, meanwhile, are of a decent quality and it's another opportunity for Wilfried Bony to sharpen up, potentially with Peter Crouch up alongside him.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: Stoke 2-1 Hull, Bony to score first (25/1 with Sky Bet)
Tottenham v Gillingham - 8pm
Justin Edinburgh coming back to Spurs is an interesting one. His Gillingham side always have a go and I've always liked Edinburgh as a manager.
It looks like Harry Kane is going to be out for some while, so this is an opportunity for Spurs to get Vincent Janssen in the goals, and perhaps get a few youngsters involved.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: Tottenham 4-1 Gillingham, Janssen to score first (30/1 with Sky Bet)
