Carabao Cup betting tips: Insight and picks for Friday’s three ties

Football

Betting

Fri, 07 Aug 2026

Competitive football in England is already back underway, with teams from the Championship, League One and League Two in Carabao Cup first round action.

After fourth tier outfit Walsall shocked second tier Bristol City in the competition’s opening tie on Thursday night, Friday sees three more clashes take place.

Odds Now’s football tipster Matt Hill takes a quick look at the trio of games and picks out his best bets.

Wolves vs Port Vale (7.45pm BST, Sky Sports+)

Wolves 2/7, Draw 11/2, Port Vale 11/1

An all-Midlands affair here as Jon Brady’s Port Vale head an hour down the road to take on big fishes Wolves at Molineux, who hold high hopes for making an instant return to the Premier League this season under new boss Cesar Peixoto.

The hosts are long odds-on for a win here and certainly have a significant quality edge, even if Peixoto probably still needs to add a couple of quality additions to his squad in order to make a sustained push for the Championship title.

It will all come down to Wolves’ attitude here. The visitors – relegated from League One last season – look sure to put in exactly the kind of dogged display you’d associate with a classic cup underdog.

Despite last season’s relegation from League One, the Valiants heroically battled their way to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, so Brady certainly knows how to ready his side for a big occasion.

The bet that appeals to me here is both teams to score at 11/10 (Betfred).

Brady concluded in the summer that Vale’s 33-goal league haul last term was “nowhere near good enough” and has spent his summer trying to add a little more attacking verve to his group.

In a game where they have nothing to lose and low expectations, I think they can find a way of breaching a likely rotated and not fully tuned-up home defence – though keeping a clean sheet looks a tough ask.

Wycombe vs Stevenage (7.45pm BST, Sky Sports+)

Wycombe 5/4, Draw 12/5, Stevenage 23/10

Two League One rivals face off here and both fit a similar profile of potential dark horses in the race for a play-off place in this season’s third tier.

Wycombe have plenty of quality in their ranks for the level and a very capable manager in Michael Duff, so it would be no surprise to see the Chairboys outrun their 25/1 outright odds (BetVictor) this term. They’ve also progressed through the opening round of this competition in each of the last five seasons.

Stevenage are more limited in terms of their resources but certainly outperformed the sum of their parts last term under Alex Revell, holding on doggedly for a play-off place after a fast start before being comfortably beaten by Stockport in the semi-final.

It’s more up for debate whether Boro can go again in 2026-27, with 66/1 quotes (BetVictor) knocking about suggesting bookmakers are actually expecting a bit of regression.

The visitors are very reliant on key striker Jamie Reid for goals and the 5/2 anytime scorer quote about him here does make some appeal. However, I think the best bet has to be playing it straight with a home win.

Wycombe’s home record was pretty strong last season with 13 wins from 23 games, while Stevenage largely struggled on the road despite their lofty position – losing half of their road trips. Quotes of 5/4 (Betfred) about a Wycombe win look fair.

Middlesbrough vs Wrexham (8pm BST, ITV1)

Middlesbrough 3/4, Draw 3/1, Wrexham 17/4

You’d have to say this looks the most intriguing game of the night as two Championship promotion hopefuls meet in Middlesbrough and Wrexham.

It still feels remarkable to talk about the Hollywood-owned visitors as a potential Premier League side of the near future, given they were operating in non-league as recently as three years ago.

Yet a hat-trick of promotions, backed up by a fantastic second-tier campaign last season which saw them miss out on the play-offs on the final day, means the Red Dragons merit serious respect.

Boro went even closer to the promised land last term, losing the Championship play-off final to Hull – a game they were strong favourites to win – so must dust themselves down for another crack at one of the most competitive divisions in world football.

Kim Hellberg’s side have home advantage here but are unlikely to have things all their own way. Ironically, it was Boro who broke Wrexham’s hearts in the last game of 2025-26, holding them to a 2-2 draw in Wales. So this is a quick renewing of rivalries in the grand scheme of things.

The reverse fixture last October also finished level at 1-1. So backing both teams to score at 4/5( (Bet365) looks rock solid – as does a more speculative punt on this one ending level after 90 minutes at 3/1 (BetVictor).

Matt Hill’s Carabao Cup best bets – Friday August 7th 2026

1pt - Wolves vs Port Vale BTTS - 11/10 (Betfred)

1pt - Wycombe to beat Stevenage - 5/4 (Betfred)

1pts - Middlesbrough vs Wrexham BTTS - 4/5 (Bet365)

0.5pt - Middlesbrough vs Wrexham draw - 3/1 (BetVictor)

0.5pt treble - Wolves Port Vale BTTS, Wycombe win, Middlesbrough Wrexham BTTS - 7.17/1 (Betfred)

Total staked - 4pts

PricedUp.bet have fantastic football boosts on offer every single day! New customers who register via THIS LINK can receive £20 in free bets.

18+. New customers only. Opt in required. Minimum bet of £40 on any selections. Min odds of evens (2.00). Pre-game only. Free bet awarded upon settlement. Free bet split into 4 x £5. Free bet on accumulators only. Free bet expiry 24 hours. Other free bet terms apply. Maximum pay-outs apply. GamCare.org.uk | UK only. Full T&Cs apply. #ad

Matt Hill

Darts

Football

Matt Hill is Odds Now's Head of Content and leads our digital operation, while also offering his insight as a tipster across darts and football.

Having worked in the industry for the best part of a decade, including extended stints with Betfred and LiveScore, Matt joined the project in May 2024 with the sole aim of making Odds Now a key player in the betting content space.

He has also forged a reputation as a respected darts tipster, landing numerous three-figure outright winners over the years, while his love for lower league football also helps him pick out the odd obscure winner in that space.

When not at the editorial desk, Matt enjoys travelling the country supporting his beloved Carlisle United FC, chucking a few arrows and spending time with his young family.

Matt Hill is Odds Now's Head of Content and leads our digital operation, while also offering his insight as a tipster across darts and football.

When not at the editorial desk, Matt enjoys travelling the country supporting his beloved Carlisle United FC, chucking a few arrows and spending time with his young family.