Wednesday's EFL Cup second round predictions: Big-spending Hammers can show their class
Free expert football tips, best bets and predictions for the EFL Cup second round matches on Wednesday.

Exclusive new customer sign up offers


FREE BETS


FREE BETS
Best bets
West Ham to win
Live on Sky Sports +, 7.45pm Wednesday
3pts 23-20 Betfair, BoyleSports, Hills
Ipswich -1 on Asian handicap
Live on Sky Sports +, 7.45pm Wednesday
3pts 13-20 bet365
EFL Cup second round predictions
West Ham have been big players in the transfer window and they can underline their strength in depth by beating Bournemouth on Wednesday evening.
It has been a mixed start to the season for the Irons, who followed a 2-1 home loss to Aston Villa with a 2-0 victory away to Crystal Palace.
Hammers manager Julen Lopetegui has broadly relied on the club's established players but he is preparing to let several of his new arrivals off the leash.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jean-Clair Todibo, Niclas Fullkrug and Crysencio Summerville are in line for their first starts of the season and their involvement should excite home fans.
There are sure to be ups and downs as Lopetegui integrates so many new faces but Saturday's success over Palace provided evidence of a team already making substantial progress.
While West Ham look like genuine EFL Cup contenders, Bournemouth appear likely to fall at the first hurdle.
They have made a solid enough start in the Premier League – picking up 1-1 draws at Nottingham Forest and at home to Newcastle – but the sale of star striker Dominic Solanke has left them short in a crucial area of the pitch.
The Cherries are highly likely to make changes with Saturday's trip to Everton at the forefront of their minds, but their squad looks inferior to West Ham's and a battle of second strings should heavily favour the home team.
Ipswich's main preoccupation will be Premier League survival but they should have no problems negotiating their second-round tie away to League Two AFC Wimbledon.
The Tractor Boys have been busy in the transfer market and completed another major deal at the weekend by snapping up exciting winger Jack Clarke from Sunderland.
Clarke is short of match minutes and should take his place in what looks like a very strong second-string Ipswich side.
Kieran McKenna's team travelled to AFC Wimbledon for last season's FA Cup third round, winning 3-1, and they should be at least as comfortable on their return to Plough Lane.
Backing them giving up a goal on the Asian handicap will provide a winning payout if Ipswich win by two or more goals, while a one-goal success sees stakes returned.
Click for free bets and betting offers from the Racing Post
Commercial notice: This article contains affiliate links. Offers are handpicked and come from operators our experts have first-hand experience of. Opening an account via one of these links will earn revenue for the Racing Post, which will be used to continue producing our award-winning coverage of horseracing and sports betting.
Published on inEFL Cup
Last updated
- Newcastle overturn 4-1 odds to end 70-year domestic trophy curse with EFL Cup triumph
- Sky Bet betting offer: get 60-1 on Mo Salah to have a shot on target in Liverpool vs Newcastle
- EFL Cup final odds boost: get 50-1 on Mo Salah to score or assist with Paddy Power
- Liverpool vs Newcastle EFL Cup final player prop tips and predictions: England new boy Burn looks a leading card candidate
- Liverpool vs Newcastle EFL Cup Bet Builder tips and predictions plus get 50-1 with Paddy Power for Salah to score or assist
- Aintree day one betting offer: get £30 in free bet with Kwiff
- Grand National Festival day one: get £30 in free bets with BoyleSports
- Get 40-1 for a card to be shown in the Merseyside derby with Paddy Power
- William Hill Aintree day one schedule, race times + get £60 in Grand National free bets
- Paddy Power Grand National offer: Get £30 in free bets for Aintree
- Newcastle overturn 4-1 odds to end 70-year domestic trophy curse with EFL Cup triumph
- Sky Bet betting offer: get 60-1 on Mo Salah to have a shot on target in Liverpool vs Newcastle
- EFL Cup final odds boost: get 50-1 on Mo Salah to score or assist with Paddy Power
- Liverpool vs Newcastle EFL Cup final player prop tips and predictions: England new boy Burn looks a leading card candidate
- Liverpool vs Newcastle EFL Cup Bet Builder tips and predictions plus get 50-1 with Paddy Power for Salah to score or assist
- Aintree day one betting offer: get £30 in free bet with Kwiff
- Grand National Festival day one: get £30 in free bets with BoyleSports
- Get 40-1 for a card to be shown in the Merseyside derby with Paddy Power
- William Hill Aintree day one schedule, race times + get £60 in Grand National free bets
- Paddy Power Grand National offer: Get £30 in free bets for Aintree