Both of these sides are in good form in front of goal and both are expected to rotate heavily for this cup clash, which should lead to an open game. At least four goals have been scored in six of Villa’s last seven games and the potential is there for these teams to combine for a thriller with over 3.5 goals scored.

St Johnstone are going through a bit of a rough patch but the visit of a Motherwell side in freefall looks like a good opportunity to pick up three points. The Well are on a five-game losing streak but they have at least scored in four of their last five trips, while the Saints have conceded in six successive home games.

Liverpool are on a four-game winning run across all competitions and have been generally strong at home all season, losing just once to Man City. Xabi Alonso has two defeats in two games as manager against his former club and Chelsea come into this game in mixed form with three losses in their last seven, so Liverpool look capable of winning this tie inside 90 minutes. Liverpool kept a clean sheet in victory over a free-scoring Brighton side at the weekend and can keep Chelsea quiet. 

Napoli have had a difficult season so far and have lost three and drawn one of their last four away games. Six of Monza’s seven points this season have been won at home and they have won three of their four home fixtures in all competitions.

Genoa have scored in six of their seven home games this season across all competitions. Juve are yet to draw a blank on their travels and have conceded five goals in total across their last four trips so back both of these teams to get on the scoresheet.

Dundee held Rangers do a draw in their last home game and they have picked up wins over Aberdeen and Motherwell at Dens Park, losing just once across all comps. The Dee should be able to see off a Killie side who have three defeats in their last five asway from home.

St Johnstone are going through a bit of a rough patch but the visit of a Motherwell side in freefall looks like a good opportunity to pick up three points. The Well are on a five-game losing streak.

Liverpool are on a four-game winning run across all competitions and have been generally strong at home all season, losing just once to Man City. Xabi Alonso has two defeats in two games as manager against his former club and Chelsea come into this game in mixed form with three losses in their last seven, so Liverpool look capable of winning this tie inside 90 minutes.

Tammy Abraham should come into a rotated Villa side after struggling for game time in the Premier League. Abraham scored twice in the previous round against Lincoln and he’s also made the most of his limited chances in Europe with one goal in just 41 minutes of action in the Champions League, he stands out as a contender for a goal for the visitors.

Phil Foden has four goals and an assist in his last three games and is a candidate to get on the scoresheet on Wednesday for the hosts.

Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo had six shots against Brighton at the weekend and scored in the win over Spurs in the previous round. With Isak likely to be given the night off or at least named on the bench, Gakpo looks a decent candidate for an anytime effort.

Gustavo Varela has scored seven goals in seven appearances for Monza this season and five of these have come in his three home assignments, including a brace against Cagliari in his last appearance here.

Talbi scored the winner for Sunderland against Hull in the last round, and the winger has been somewhat unfairly sidelined in the league despite scoring four Premier League goals last term. He had a brief cameo against Leeds at the weekend, and the young Moroccan winger should make the most of a rare start.

Bournemouth come into the game as the favourites but Villa have an impressive record against their hosts and are unbeaten in the last seven meetings. Bournemouth have scored at least twice in four straight games and Villa have scored more than once in seven of their last nine, so take a chance on 2-2 draw.

City are predicted to concede in victory and Albion’s recent record against their hosts suggests this will be close game. Brighton haven’t conceded more than twice in any of their last nine games so a 2-1 City win is the pick.

Both of these sides are in good form in front of goal and both are expected to rotate heavily for this cup clash, which should lead to an open game. At least four goals have been scored in six of Villa’s last seven games and the potential is there for these teams to combine for a thriller with over 3.5 goals scored.

There have been at least four goals scored in three of Aberdeen’s last five Premiership games, while over 2.5 goals has landed in three consecutive Falkirk games. Both sides are in solid scoring form and they can combine for at least three goals.

Man City saw their perfect Premier League run ended at Villa Park at the weekend but they can respond by beating Brighton in this midweek cup game. City have won all of their domestic home games this season and have never lost to Albion as the home side. The visitors have scored a league-high 23 Premier League goals and can at least strike in defeat, however.

Napoli have had a difficult season so far and have lost three and drawn one of their last four away games. Six of Monza’s seven points this season have been won at home and they have won three of their four home fixtures in all competitions. Monza have conceded in two of their last three home matches, while Napoli have scored in four of their five trips away, including in two of their three away-day losses.

St Johnstone are going through a bit of a rough patch but the visit of a Motherwell side in freefall looks like a good opportunity to pick up three points. The Well are on a five-game losing streak but they have at least scored in four of their last five trips, while the Saints have conceded in six successive home games.

Nine of Brentford’s last 10 games have featured both teams scoring, including their matches in the last two rounds of the Carabao Cup. The Bees haven’t kept an away clean sheet this term, while both teams scored in their home clash with Sunderland in September.

Both teams have scored in seven successive Dundee games and that pattern should continue when they entertain Killie. Both teams have scored in three of the visitors’ last four games, and in each of the last four meetings between these two sides.

Monza have scored 11 goals across four home games this season, while Napoli have scored seven goals in their last two games. With both attacks in form, goals at both ends looks likely.

Genoa have scored in six of their seven home games this season across all competitions. Juve are yet to draw a blank on their travels and have conceded five goals in total across their last four trips so back both of these teams to get on the scoresheet.

Liverpool are on a four-game winning run across all competitions and have been generally strong at home all season, losing just once to Man City. Xabi Alonso has two defeats in two games as manager against his former club and Chelsea come into this game in mixed form with three losses in their last seven, so Liverpool look capable of winning this tie inside 90 minutes.

Palace have lost three of their last four games, and they meet a Fulham side that is fresh from back-to-back wins. The Cottagers have improved defensively across those victories, facing a combined 0.67 Expected Goals, while only Ipswich can top the 15.8 xG Palace have conceded in the league this term.

Nine of Brentford’s last 10 games have featured both teams scoring, including their matches in the last two rounds of the Carabao Cup. The Bees haven’t kept an away clean sheet this term, while both teams scored in their home clash with Sunderland in September.

Man City saw their perfect Premier League run ended at Villa Park at the weekend but they can respond by beating Brighton in this midweek cup game. City have won all of their domestic home games this season and have never lost to Albion as the home side. The visitors have scored a league-high 23 Premier League goals and can at least strike in defeat, however.

Liverpool are on a four-game winning run across all competitions and have been generally strong at home all season, losing just once to Man City. Xabi Alonso has two defeats in two games as manager against his former club and Chelsea come into this game in mixed form with three losses in their last seven, so Liverpool look capable of winning this tie inside 90 minutes.

City aren’t quite right yet under Enzo Maresca. They may well come good but Lens away was arguably the worst road trip from Pot 4 while Napoli and Leipzig represent stern tests from Pot 3. And then there’s PSG and Barcelona. Altogether a tough test.

The home game against Bodo/Glimt and trip to Slavia ought to be the bedrock of a campaign in which Dino Toppmoller’s impressive group – who have already beaten PSG in the French Champions Trophy – can emerge successfully.

Barcelona could easily lose in Paris, legitimately drop points at Galatasaray and at home to Man City. One more slip and the top eight could feasibly elude them.

Arsenal were flawless 12 months ago and should have no difficulty getting to the 16 points which are probably required.

BVB came close to the top eight last season and have a great draw this year with Betis, AEK Athens, Sabah and even Inter Milan at home looks winnable.

PSV’s hammerings of Napoli and Liverpool last term were rare highs in an otherwise disappointing campaign. This season’s draw looks far kindlier for Peter Bosz and his Eredivisie big-hitters.

Lazio have made a brilliant start under Gennaro Gattuso, winning seven of their first eight Serie A matches. The Biancocelesti are a perfect four for four on their travels, and they’re meeting Sassuolo at the perfect time. Sassuolo have lost three of their last four league games, falling to a 2-0 loss at Como at the weekend.

Four of Como’s five Serie A wins this season have featured at least three goals, including all three of their away successes.

Max Allegri hasn’t been able to install his trademark steely defensive foundation with Napoli, and the Partenopei threw away the lead twice in Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Roma. Monza followed a 2-1 win over Sassuolo with a 4-0 victory against Cagliari, and seven of their eight games this term have featured at least three goals.

Palace have lost three of their last four games, and they meet a Fulham side that is fresh from back-to-back wins. The Cottagers have improved defensively across those victories, facing a combined 0.67 Expected Goals, while only Ipswich can top the 15.8 xG Palace have conceded in the league this term.

Fiorentinahave lost three of their four home games, and their only victory in the league this term came at bottom side Venezia. La Viola won only four of 19 home matches last term, and they’re set for another difficult campaign.

Espanyol have lost four of their last five games, and they’ve suffered three 2-1 defeats in five away matches this season. Villarreal have managed only one clean sheet in 10 league games, so back them to win and concede.

Across four home games this season, Levante have already met Barcelona, Real Betis, Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao. However, they’ve scored 13 goals in those four matches. Levante have also conceded 10 times in those four games, and all but one of their previous six league assignments have featured three or more goals.

Winless Malaga are propping up the La Liga table, and they’ve already suffered a 4-0 defeat at Real Madrid and a 2-0 loss at Atletico Madrid. Real Betis have put themselves in the top four with a fine start that has seen them win four from five at home.

Telstar are winless at home this season, and they’ve conceded two or more goals in each of those matches. Utrecht’s only defeat across their last six games came against leaders Feyenoord, and they should add to Telstar’s woes.

Strasbourg are third from bottom in Ligue 1, but they will be targeting Sunday’s clash with Auxerre as an opportunity to turn things around. The visitors have suffered 4-1, 3-1 and 5-2 defeats on their travels this season. With Strasbourg failing to keep a clean sheet in eight league matches, more goals should be on the way for both sides.