Tottenham v Brentford Tips: Mourinho's men to reach final in search of fifth League Cup title

It’s the first of the League Cup semi-finals on Tuesday evening with Spurs hosting Brentford at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Jose Mourinho holds the trophy in high regard and we’ve got three football tips for the game which can be seen live on Sky Sports Main Event, kicking off at 19:45.

Spurs are expected to name a strong side to face the Bees with the in-form Harry Kane and Son-Heung Min set to feature from the off. Lucas Moura and Dele Alli are pushing for starts with Gareth Bale, Japhet Tanganga and Giovani Lo Celso confirmed absentees. 

The game will go to extra-time and penalties if it is tied after 90 minutes. Spurs are the 4/9 favourites to win in normal time, with the draw available at 18/5. A win for Brentford in 90 minutes can be backed at 6/1, an implied probability of 14%. 

Tottenham to win & both teams to score - 1.5pts @ 2/1 bet365

Henrik Dalsgaard to be carded - 1pt @ 5/1 bet365

Moussa Sissoko & Vitaly Janelt to be carded - 30/1 Paddy Power

Brentford will relish the chance to reach the League Cup final and could name an unchanged XI after their game with Bournemouth with no injury concerns. The Bees have knocked out four Premier League opponents in this competition already in Newcastle, West Brom, Southampton and Fulham and I expect them to give a good account of themselves on Tuesday. Striker Ivan Toney has 16 goals in 22 league appearances this season and will enjoy the opportunity to face a higher class opponent.

The Bees are unbeaten in 16 matches and have won their last four but I think that run will come to an end at the hands of Spurs due to the sheer quality of players the hosts possess. Jose Mourinho loves the League Cup and has lifted it on four occasions, with Chelsea three times and once with Manchester United. The Special One is expected to name a strong side and with Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min having 22 league goals between them this season, it’s hard to see beyond Tottenham. At 2/1 Spurs to win and both teams to score looks the correct play here.

Mike Dean will be the official taking charge of this game. The Premier League’s Greatest Showman is one who never shies away from the limelight and currently ranks 5th out of the 19 top-flight referees for yellows shown per game this term, with 3.64 being brandished on average. With a place in the final at stake, there’s a good chance that we should see plenty of bookings.

The first player I’m fancying for a card is Brentford’s Henrik Dalsgaard. The 31-year-old should line up at right back on Tuesday, which makes Son-Heung Min his direct opponent. With bags of pace in abundance Son should give Dalsgaard a real test and it would be no surprise to see him bring him down to stop a counter attack. Only Vitaly Janelt has been cautioned more times for Brentford than the Dane this season with five to his name last season and with Mike Dean in charge I’m happy to take the 5/1 for a card with bet365.

I’ve also picked out a ‘to be carded’ double for my longshot for this League Cup semi-final. I’ve gone with Moussa Sissoko and Vitaly Janelt to be booked at the price of 30/1 with Paddy Power. 

French midfielder Moussa Sissoko has been cautioned twice in his 11 league starts this term for Spurs. The tough tackling 31-year-old picked up an impressive eight yellows in 28 games last season and at 5/1 looks a fair price here with Dean in charge and the incentive of a place in the final. 

No player has been booked more times for Brentford this season than defensive midfielder Vitaly Janelt. The German arrived in London at the start of October and since then has been booked in five of his 18 league appearances for Thomas Frank’s side. 

Best of luck to anyone following the selections on Tuesday, enjoy the game and please gamble responsibly.