Having left it late to secure wins in their two
league games, Al Hain-Cole expects Conte's men to dig deep once again
when they take on defensive lower league opposition
Having overcome Championship Cardiff City in the previous round, the Pirates are available at 14/1 (15.00) with Skybet to create an even bigger shock with victory against their Premier League hosts.
However, Antonio Conte has begun his reign with two wins from two in the league and is priced at a slender 2/11 (1.18) to extend his 100 per cent record with another victory in this one.
The hosts were knocked out on penalties by Stoke City in last season’s competition, and there are odds of 6/1 (7.00) on them remaining deadlocked after 90 minutes once again this time out.
After the disastrous start of last season that cost Jose Mourinho his job by December, Blues fans will have been quietly encouraged by their new manager’s first two games. Although neither could be described as entirely convincing, both performances have demonstrated both control and the commitment that the players were frequently accused of lacking in the previous campaign.
Having struck a late winner in their opener against West Ham, Conte’s team were forced to dig even deeper as they came from behind to collect three points at Watford – thanks largely to the contribution of Cesc Fabregas and Michy Batshuayi from the bench.
Known for his intense motivational abilities during a supremely successful spell at Juventus, the manager will be demanding his players show the same application when they take on a lower league side likely to set up defensively and play on the break.
With all six of the goals scored in Conte’s first two matches having been scored in the second half, odds of 10/11 (1.91) seem more than fair on the majority of the action taking place after the break once again versus a Rovers team that has scored just two first-half goals in five fixtures this campaign.
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