Carling Cup focus: Three games to watch

24 August 2010 13:31

The Carling Cup second round gets underway tonight, with most of the Premier League big-boys entering the fray. Football.co.uk takes a look at three of the most interesting ties on Tuesday evening.

- Carling Cup Team News / Carling Cup Fixtures

West Ham v Oxford United

After two games and two defeats, the pressure is building on new West Ham manager Avram Grant. With matches against Manchester United and Chelsea next up in the league, tonight's game provides the Hammers with a chance to get a much-needed win under their belts.

Victory this evening would give the players a mini confidence boost ahead of a difficult run of fixtures but it won't be easy when Oxford visit Upton Park tonight. Having been promoted back to the Football League in May, Oxford and their 5,000 travelling fans will be hoping to add to the misery in east London.

Southampton v Bolton Wanderers

Hot favourites for automatic promotion from League One, Southampton have struggled in their opening two games of the season - losing to Plymouth and drawing with Leyton Orient. Saints fans still believe their club is destined to return to the top-flight and tonight's game will show how they measure up to a current Premier League side.

Bolton enter the game on the back of an impressive win at West Ham on Saturday and will be confident of making an impact in the most winnable domestic cup competition. Expect Owen Coyle to make a few changes but still put out a strong team.

Portsmouth v Crystal Palace

It's the battle of the crisis clubs at Fratton Park this evening as Portsmouth host Crystal Palace in round two of the Carling Cup. Both sides came close to going out of business in recent months, although Palace have now exited administration after being bought by a local consortium.

Pompey have struggled in the Championship so far - losing their opening two games, but they will be hopeful of making it through to round three in order to boost the coffers with a game against one of Premier League's big clubs.

Source: DSG