Burton vs Fulham August 27, 2013

The weekend’s 3-1 defeat by Arsenal at the Cottage has to be quickly forgotten about as we travel to Burton Albion on Tuesday for the Second Round of the Capital One Cup (7.45pm).

Fulham began our season on the road well with a 1-0 win over Sunderland and a slightly shorter trip to the Midlands is next on the agenda.

The Brewers are likely to again be without injured duo Billy Kee and Zander Diamond. Fulham are expected to select fringe players such as Hugo Rodallega and Ashkan Dejagah. The visitors will be without Maarten Stekelenburg and Kieran Richardson, who are nursing respective shoulder and hamstring problems.

Manager Martin Jol could ring the changes as a number of players may be tired after their exploits at the weekend and a few younger players could be given a chance to shine in the cup competition. Maarten Stekelenburg and Kieran Richardson are still out with injuries sustained against Sunderland, but the likes of Ashkan Dejagah, Alexander Kačaniklić and Hugo Rodallega could be given a run-out with only three days to recover before another trip up north to visit Newcastle on Saturday.

Burton’s only major concern is about defender Zander Diamond, who is out for the next few weeks after damaging a ligament in his foot.

Some of the club’s best moments have come in the FA Cup. In 2006, they held Manchester United to a 0-0 draw in the Third Round in front of a then-record 6,191 fans, but bravely lost the replay at Old Trafford. Again in the Third Round, in 2011, Burton beat Championship side Middlesbrough 2-1 after coming from behind to seal their place in the Fourth Round for the first time, although they then lost to Burnley.

A good season for Burton last year saw them finish in fourth place in the League Two table and it marked their fourth consecutive appearance in the league after they were promoted. This season has begun well and they will be keen to add another top side to their list of cup scalps, with Sheffield United beaten in the First Round back in early August. And, after drawing 2-2 against Cheltenham Town in their season opener in the league, Albion won 1-0 against Rochdale and 3-2 away at Fleetwood Town, before fighting back from 2-0 down to claim a draw against Bury on Saturday to ensure their form is good going into the visit of the Whites.

Southampton vs Barnsley August 27, 2013

Barnsley will be without defender Jean-Yves Mvoto, who serves a one-game ban following his sending off at Blackburn.
The Tykes may hand a debut to winger Paddy McCourt, who joined the club last week.
Southampton could give a first start to record signing Daniel Osvaldo, who arrived from AS Roma this month.
Midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin is a fitness doubt and may not feature, while Luke Shaw has a knee problem which could prevent him from playing.

The outsider’s view of tonight’s contest at Oakwell would be that it offers a welcome distraction from the rigours of what has so far been a trying start to the Championship season.

The Reds have yet to register a win and have been on ther receiving end of two heavy defeats, most recently a 5-2 reverse at Blackburn.

Norway international Marcus Pedersen is expected to be handed his full debut after stepping off the substitutes' bench on Saturday, while fellow new signing Paddy McCourt is hoping to make his first appearance.

Midfielder Kelvin Etuhu made his first start at the weekend following a hamstring injury and should continue, but defender Martin Cranie (knee) remains sidelined.


Record signing Dani Osvaldo could make his first Southampton start.

Even in progressing to tonight’s second round of the Capital One Cup, where they meet in-form Southampton, Barnsley required a penalty shoot-out to see off League Two side Scunthorpe United.

But instead of sending his players out to enjoy themselves without the pressure of fighting for League points, Flitcroft wants his side to put into practice the positive work they have been doing on the training ground.

“We don’t need a distraction, we need a focus,” said the Reds chief.

“We need to focus on the training ground and we need to focus on our job. Distractions only bring negativity.”

Referee: S Duncan (Northumberland).

Liverpool vs Notts County August 27, 2013

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists his side will afford Notts County “the same respect” as they will Manchester United on Sunday.

“We are concentrating only on the next game, and for us it is Notts County,” he told reporters during his Monday press conference.

Liverpool have no fresh injury concerns for their League Cup second-round tie against League One Notts County at Anfield. The match will come too soon for defender Martin Skrtel, however, with the defender still struggling with a knee injury. Uruguayan centre-back Sebastian Coates is a long-term casualty – expected to be out for most of the season - with frontman Luis Suarez still serving his suspension. Fabio Borini, who spent much of last season out injured with a broken foot, could make the team with Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers expected to make changes.

Notts County manager Chris Kiwomya will check on a number of players ahead of the League Cup clash. Captain Dean Leacock is a doubt, although Kiwomya will be keen to have his most-experienced defender play against the Reds. Fellow defender Alan Sheehan, who has been suffering with a hamstring strain, and forwards Enoch Showunmi and Danny Haynes missed the home league defeat to Stevenage on Saturday but will be checked ahead of the visit to Anfield

He also responded to a question about squad rotation by saying, “It will be an opportunity for some players who maybe haven’t featured to get a game, but the core of our team will very much be there.”

In theory, Liverpool shouldn’t have too much against the League One club, but it is not as simple as just turning up on the day and playing a game of football. For the Notts County players, it is ultimately the biggest game most of them are likely to ever play in, which normally results in the lower league sides raising their game, which can make it harder for the Premier League side.

A trip to Anfield will get any footballer’s blood pumping. Notts County will probably start like a team possessed. They will chase every ball, dive into every tackle and kick everything that moves.

They will be burning with the desire to cause one of the biggest upsets in Football history. Liverpool cannot allow that. The players need to be able to match Notts County in the ‘desire to win’ department if they do that, then the extra quality should see the Reds through this game.

Liverpool are expected to make wholesale changes for tonight’s game, and with Manchester United only a matter of days away, who can blame Brendon Rodgers, for doing exactly that? On the flip side, it will also be a chance for many of Liverpool’s youngsters and fringe players to show the manager, what they are capable of doing.

On the other side of the ball, Notts County captain Dean Leacock referred to the contest as a “dream draw,” adding, “It is the biggest draw we could have got. It is brilliant for the players, the fans and the club as a whole.”

Arsenal vs Fenerbahce August 27, 2013

Arsene Wenger has called on Arsenal to finish the job when they host Fenerbahce at the Emirates on Tuesday bidding to qualify for the lucrative UEFA Champions League group stages.

The Gunners go into the second leg play-off clash in a dominant position following a 3-0 win in Turkey last week.

Second-half goals from Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud boosted the Gunners' hopes of securing their place in Thursday's draw for the group stages for a 16th successive season.

UEFA Champions League playoff round, Emirates Stadium, London

Arsenal vs. Fenerbahce 

Date: 7.45 p.m. BST/2:45 p.m. EDT, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013

Another season of UEFA Champions League football is almost secure.

The Gunners hold a 3-0 aggregate lead ahead of the second leg play-off after cruising to a straight forward victory in Istanbul thanks to goals from Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud last week.

Arsene Wenger may also be tempted to field a weakened side against the Turkish outfit, with one eye on this weekend's north London derby with Tottenham.

After beating Fenerbahce last week in Turkey, Arsenal need only to see out the second leg successfully at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. With a 3-0 advantage in hand, the Gunners seem destined for a 16th consecutive season in Europe's most prestigious club competition.

The second leg is scheduled to kick off at 7.45 p.m. BST, or 2:45 p.m

It was just the morale-boosting performance Wenger was seeking following his side's 3-1 opening Premier League home defeat by Aston Villa.

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