The Carling Cup used to be the competition the other clubs could win, but I’m not sure that applies any more. Chelsea and Manchester United have won four of the last five seasons, with Spurs beating Chelsea in the 2008 final.

Tonight sees a rematch of last season’s final between United and Spurs, whilst Portsmouth take on Aston Villa in the other game.

Portsmouth v Aston Villa

Portsmouth are this season’s nonsense club, rooted to the foot of the Premier League and providing a soap opera of news at every turn. Expect Villa to be too strong, although it may be close if Pompey can nullify the threat on the counter attack.

Whilst we keep hearing about how Martin O’Neill will have Villa challenging for the Champions League, his apparent dislike of expansive attacking football is starting to become a hindrance, especially now that they no longer have Gareth Barry to unlock opposing defences.

Their impressive attacking options often find themselves being starved of service, and they were lucky to escape with a point against Spurs at the weekend, after being on the back foot for most of the game.

Portsmouth have often played well this season without getting a result. An inability to put away chances is costing them, and Avram Grant has taken on a difficult job after the sacking of Paul Hart. The legacy of the financial problems caused by Harry Redknapp’s spend-money-we-haven’t-got-athon is now being played out. The Carling Cup might be a welcome distraction, but Portsmouth could desperately do with some league form to go with it.

Manchester United v Tottenham

Meanwhile Harry is busy spending whatever money he can lay his hands on (whatever happened to the West Ham wheeler-dealer?) at Spurs. They stand a better chance than Villa of breaking the top four this season, but face a tough tie at Old Trafford this evening.

United are now second favourite in the league, not that anybody will tell them, but they are bound to win something this season, and the Carling Cup would be as good a place as any to begin.

Ronaldo might be gone, but Rooney is scoring goals for fun, and when you can call on a legend like Ryan Giggs you always fancy your chances. The absence of Rio Ferdinand might encourage Spurs, but United will still be solid, and if they win the midfield battle expect Spurs to struggle.

Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick have formed a good midfield partnership this season, and this might well be the difference between United and Tottenham, for whom that area of the pitch is their biggest weakness.

Predicted scores:

• Portsmouth 1 – 2 Aston Villa
• Man United 3 – 1 Tottenham