Sixteen teams will do battle for a place in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup on Tuesday and Wednesday, including a couple of headline fixtures which would not look out of place in the final itself.
Chelsea and Manchester United face off at Stamford Bridge as the Blues look for revenge for their opening-day drubbing, while Liverpool host Arsenal at Anfield in another meeting between two of the Premier League's 'big six'.
A wonderful Wednesday of action also features a Midlands derby between Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Tuesday sees the likes of holders Manchester City, in-form Leicester City and Everton in action.
There is guaranteed to be at least one League Two side in the last eight, with the two lowest-ranked teams going head to head when Crawley Town host Colchester United.
Here, Sports Mole provides predictions for all eight fixtures.
Burton Albion vs. Leicester (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
League One Burton Albion may be fearful of another EFL Cup mauling when they welcome in-form neighbours Leicester City to the Pirelli Stadium in the last 16 on Tuesday night.
Nigel Clough's side were beaten 9-0 by Manchester City in the semi-finals of the competition last season and take on a Leicester side that set records tumbling with victory by the same scoreline in the Premier League on Friday night.
We say: Burton 0-3 Leicester
Another Leicester goal-show is unlikely given the number of changes expected, but the Foxes should still have enough to avoid being brought back down to earth with a bump. Burton have a habit of upsetting the odds, but this is a Leicester side in flying form and they should cruise through to the quarter-finals with minimum fuss.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Crawley vs. Colchester (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
Crawley Town and Colchester United meet on Tuesday night with the opportunity to earn a surprise place in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.
Between them, the League Two outfits have seen off the challenges of Premier League trio Norwich City, Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.
We say: Crawley Town 1-2 Colchester United
There will inevitably be a lot of tension and nerves throughout this fixture. While Crawley have home advantage, it may be to their detriment, and we feel that Colchester will have enough quality to edge through.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Everton vs. Watford (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
Marco Silva welcomes his former club to Goodison Park for the second time already this season when Everton host Watford in the last 16 of the EFL Cup.
Both sides are in desperate need of a morale-boosting victory following poor starts to their respective Premier League campaigns, while Silva could also do with a win to ease the pressure on his shoulders.
We say: Everton 2-1 Watford
This is a very difficult game to call, with two out-of-form teams likely to make a few changes but knowing that any victory in their current states could be the catalyst they need. It could go either way, but we are backing the hosts to squeeze through to the quarter-finals.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Man City vs. Southampton (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
Manchester City head into their EFL Cup last-16 encounter with Southampton looking to register their fourth successive win in all competitions.
The Saints make the daunting trip to the Etihad Stadium on the back of a demoralising 9-0 defeat at the hands of Leicester City on Friday night.
We say: Manchester City 4-1 Southampton
While Guardiola will no doubt ring the changes for this contest, City should still be too strong for their opponents on Tuesday night, who may feel like it is damage limitation even before the opening whistle.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How Man City could line up against Southampton
> Click here to see Manchester City's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match
Oxford vs. Sunderland (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
Oxford United play host to fellow League One side Sunderland on Tuesday night as both clubs look to earn a place in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.
While Oxford thrashed West Ham United in the previous round, Sunderland have reached this stage with wins over Burnley and Sheffield United.
We say: Oxford United 2-1 Sunderland
With Sunderland in a period of transition after a change in manager, we feel that Oxford are best placed to progress through to the last eight. However, it should be a competitive affair, with the home side perhaps edging it in the closing stages.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Liverpool vs. Arsenal (Wednesday, 7.30pm)
Two of English football's biggest clubs face off for a place in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup on Wednesday night when Liverpool welcome Arsenal to Anfield for the second time already this season.
The hosts have been in superb form domestically so far this term, building a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, whereas Arsenal are already 12 points behind them and go into this game off the back of a damaging 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on Sunday.
We say: Liverpool 2-0 Arsenal
The fortunes of these two sides in the Premier League are of less relevance in this match considering the number of changes expected to both teams, but Liverpool appear to have the greater strength in depth. The Reds seem almost invincible at Anfield at the moment, and we suspect that winning habit will continue on Wednesday.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How Liverpool could line up against Arsenal
> How Arsenal could line up against Liverpool
> Click here to see Liverpool's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match
> Click here to see Arsenal's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match
> Combined XI: Liverpool vs. Arsenal
Aston Villa vs. Wolves (Wednesday, 7.45pm)
Aston Villa play host to West Midlands rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday night looking to progress through to the EFL Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2012.
Wolves, on the other hand, will make the trip to Villa Park with head coach Nuno Espirito Santo likely to make widespread changes to his squad given the club's current hectic schedule.
We say: Aston Villa 3-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
While both teams will make alterations, it is difficult to back against Villa making it through to the next round. Wolves will be keen to get one over their rivals, although Villa's probable greater experience may prove to be decisive.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Chelsea vs. Man Utd (Wednesday, 8.05pm)
Chelsea have the opportunity to avenge their opening-day defeat to Manchester United when the two sides renew hostilities in the last-16 of the EFL Cup on Wednesday night.
United ran out 4-0 winners at Old Trafford to get their Premier League campaign off to a dream start in August, but the fortunes of both sides have varied greatly since then and Chelsea will welcome their opponents to Stamford Bridge as favourites to progress.
We say: Chelsea 2-1 Man Utd
Chelsea may be much-changed from the team that suffered that opening-day defeat, but that will not lessen their desire to make amends. The Blues are in fine form at the moment and should have enough to halt United's own revival in its tracks at Stamford Bridge.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How Chelsea could line up against Manchester United
> How Manchester United could line up against Chelsea
> Click here to see Chelsea's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match
> Click here to see Manchester United's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match
> Combined XI: Chelsea vs. Manchester United
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