Can we trust managers to respect the EFL Cup? – By Rick Elliott 

The money buyers and banker bettors will be out in force tonight when four good things in the EFL Cup pay over 4/5 in a multiple with bet365. 

Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton and Manchester United all have home ties against teams from a lower division. However, the matches have been priced on the assumption the managers will play a strong team. The four fold looks to offer no value.

The EFL Cup is fourth in the list of priorities of teams playing in the Champions League or Europa League. The four bankers are each involved in European competition so managers may play a second string tonight.

The multiple can be boosted by backing Manchester City to win at West Brom and in their current form that is very tempting. But do we know how important the EFL Cup is to Pep Guardiola and the club’s hierarchy?

The dilemma illustrates the importance of information when betting on sport. Some club insiders may already have inkling that players may be rested for tonight’s fixtures.

Getting going on for even money for the four Premier League sides hosting inferior opponents at home looks a good bet but in reality weakened starting line-ups could make the multiple vulnerable to at least accumulator busting upset.

Titi Makfi Is Today’s Racing Banker Bet 

The Flat season is now in a lull between the Doncaster St Leger meeting and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and Champions Day at Ascot in October. Yarmouth stages the principle meeting and richest race of the day.

Titi Mafia has conditions in her favour in the John Musker Fillies’ Stakes (3.50pm) and is the standout bet of the day:

9/4 with Skybet!

On the same card Zabeel Prince (4.55pm) has the form and ratings to prevail but bookmakers have done punters no favours by making the horse odds-on. Wealth Tax has conditions to suit today and Zabeel Prince looks vulnerable in this trappy handicap.

There is much more juice in Titi Makfi’s price and the long journey from Mark Johnston’s stable in Yorkshire to the south coast can prove to be a lucrative and rewarding trip.

The horse has won five times this season but the best effort was in defeat in a competitive handicap at York last month. Titi Makfi has improved throughout the season and that process can continue with a win at Yarmouth today.