The League Cup - Five potential shock results

Tonight sees the first round of the League Cup continue with a full complement of fixtures. The competition is now formally known as the Capital One Cup, and it has already seen a couple of surprises.

Championship side Blackpool lost 2-1 to League Two side Morecambe, while League One Preston North End beat Championship new boys Huddersfield Town last night.

So with 18 fixtures set to take place tonight, here are five match-ups which could provide shock results.

Birmingham City v Barnet

This time last year Birmingham were in a state of confusion, adjusting to Championship football while also preparing for the Europa League. Now Chris Hughton has left for Norwich, and Lee Clark has taken over and the squad has a more settled feel. Clark will be keen to get off to a good start in the competition the Blues won two seasons ago. League Two side Barnet could be an awkward opponent despite losing last season's top scorer Izale Macleod. Former Sheffield United striker Steve Kabba could be the dangerman while former Charlton defender Jonathan Fortune will look to marshall the defence. Upset odds: 8/1

Dagenham & Redbridge v Coventry City

These two sides have never met before, and the home side will be hoping it is a memorable occasion. Coventry were relegated to League One last season and now just one division separates the two teams. Dagenham have an impressive home record, but it has not translated into their cup form, losing all five League Cup matches, four at home. With Coventry set to field a host of new signings including Kevin Kilbane, if they don't gel quickly this could finally be the night Dagenham pull off a shock result. Upset odds: 23/10

Exeter City v Crystal Palace

Surely last season's beaten semi-finalists couldn't go out in the first round? Last season Palace pulled of the result of the competition by beating Manchester United at OId Trafford, and Exeter will hoping to pull off an equally noteworthy result. Most troubling is the fact Palace have not won a single match away from home in 2012, a statistic they will be looking to put right immediately. They have lost right-back Nathaniel Clyne but retained Wilfried Zaha, who will be a dangerman. The two sides have not met since 1960, and Exeter will be looking to give themselves a lift after relegation from League One last season. Upset odds: 11/4

Millwall v Crawley Town

Crawley are a real success story of recent seasons, and will be looking to rubber stamp their rapid progress with a cup run. The newly promoted League One club have not lost a single away match since February and will hope to hang onto that record for a little while longer. Nonetheless Millwall will be difficult opposition, and The Den is rarely an easy place for visiting sides to play. Millwall are expected to miss captain Paul Robinson who had a hernia operation earlier this summer and will have to be wary of a dangerous Crawley side. Upset odds: 3/1

Ipswich Town v Bristol Rovers

Paul Jewell's Ipswich side will want a good start to the season, and that will not include a defeat here. Nevertheless, Bristol Rovers knocked out fellow Championship side Watford via a penalty shootout at this stage of last years' competition and the Tractor Boys will have to be wary despite their 100 per cent cup record against Rovers. Ipswich have released Jimmy Bullard, and have a host of new signings including goalkeeper Scott Loach, and they will need to gel quickly. Upset odds: 5/1

Which of these matches do you feel is most likely to see an upset?

image: © wonker

Dan Coombs

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Dan Coombs is a writer who is keen to embrace the internet revolution. He first started writing for us in June 2011 and commenced his new role as Sports Editor in February 2012.

As a trained journalist he has met famous faces from Mr T to Boris Johnson. He once featured in an England World Cup music video too, but it did not make the charts.

He grew up wanting to be a Formula 1 driver, but it looks like this dream has passed him by. Instead, he hopes you enjoy reading his writing on our site, as we seek to debate the day's sporting hot topics.