Capital One Cup round of 16: Arsenal travel for Owls tussle
Holly Thackeray | October 26th 2015
Sheffield Wednesday v Arsenal
- Capital One Cup, round of 16
- Tuesday, October 27th
- Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
- Hillsborough, Sheffield
- Live on Sky Sports 1
Two in-form teams feature
Arsenal are of course odds-on match favourites at 4/9 from Coral in 90 minutes, as they leave London for South Yorkshire, where Capital One Cup round of 16 opponents Sheffield Wednesday await.
The Gunners come into this game having briefly topped the Premier League table at the weekend, and on a rampant run of four victories across all competitions, including emphatic defeats of giants Bayern Munich and Manchester United.
There is much better value then, as the capital club have scored 10 in their past four fixtures but conceded just one, in Arsenal at 6/5 to keep a clean sheet versus Wednesday, or at 7/5 to fire in three or more.
Similarly, Championship team the Owls are undefeated in eight, but have triumphed in just one of their previous three tussles. The League Cup can always spring surprises but, considering Arsenal’s current confidence and the clear gulf in quality, Wednesday are best priced at 10/3 for a draw in normal time, a repeat of their last two encounters with the Gunners.
Arsenal imbued with eager attackers
The Gunners are flying high with hungry hitmen in their armory, as France forward Olivier Giroud (11/4 to have the final say) has now grabbed three goals in as many of his last games, and will be competing for the striking berth with Theo Walcott, who was rested at the weekend and is 11/4 to open the scoring.
However, Arsene Wenger confirmed he will still be without key players for this scuffle, though Per Mertesacker could return. The Frenchman told press: “There are no new problems from Saturday, Per Mertesacker is available again after illness.
“Nobody else is coming back. Arteta will not be fit. Ramsey, Wilshere, Welbeck and Rosicky of course are all out too. Ospina is still out too, so Cech will certainly play.”
Wise Owls
Meanwhile, for the hosts, teenage goalkeeping talent Joe Wildsmith is set to keep his cup-starting berth. In attack, Wednesday will also have front pair Fernando Forestieri and Lucas Joao (10/3 to score anytime) at their disposal, after the dangerous duo both bagged at the weekend. Though Kosovo-born attacker Atdhe Nuhiu could feature at the latter’s expense and is 11/4 in the same market.
Relevant
Take a gander at the best bets for Tuesday’s other Capital One Cup matches
Betting tip: Back Walcott @ an excellent 11/4 to score first
