Capital One Cup Tips: Tottenham to enjoy the interval

Harry Kane has scored six goals in five cup games this season

After Tuesday's Capital One Cup non-TV column delivered three winners from four, Michael Lintorn aims for two more...

Stoke v Southampton
Wednesday, 19:45

Match Odds: Stoke 3.45n/a, Southampton 2.3211/8, The Draw 3.55/2

A whole four days removed from their Premier League meeting at St Mary's, which was won 1-0 by the second-in-the-table hosts, Stoke and Southampton are reunited in the Capital One Cup.

However, the Saints' hopes of an encore are compromised by both the Potters' eight wins in 11 home games and Mark Hughes' feat in triumphing in 15 of his previous 25 Capital One Cup ties.

Those impressive statistics create enough uncertainty to indicate that the total goals markets might be an easier starting point than picking a winner, and there is definitely a case for under 2.5 goals at 1.824/5.

Saturday's clash was the third in four between the sides to conclude with two goals or fewer scored, with another being their most recent Britannia Stadium showdown last November. Speaking of "The Brit", eight of Stoke's past 12 fixtures there served up under 2.5 goals.

Recommended Bet: Back under 2.5 goals @ 1.824/5

Tottenham v Brighton
Wednesday, 19:45

Match Odds: Tottenham 1.511/2, Brighton 7.87/1, The Draw 4.77/2

With Tottenham fans feeling gloomy after their home defeat to miscast crisis club Newcastle at the weekend, which left them on a run of one Premier League victory in their last seven attempts, there are few more reassuring opponents for them to be facing right now than Brighton.

The Seagulls have been a layer's dream in the Championship - indeed Betting.Betfair's Lays of the Weekend has successfully taken them on three times already this season - and they are currently winless in ten matches in the division, suggesting that they are ripe for siding against once more.

One way to do that is to back Spurs to lead at the break at the generous price of 2.0421/20. Even in their present unconvincing state, they have been ahead on the 45-minute mark in four successive White Hart Lane encounters, despite going on to drop points in two, and those were all against top-flight visitors.

Recommended Bet: Back Tottenham to lead at half time @ 2.0421/20