There are six cracking last-16 EFL Cup ties as well as a full card of Scottish Premiership fixtures on Wednesday evening and we have a trio of selections which make up our best bets of the day. 

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Bet of the day

Hearts to beat Kilmarnock @ 9/10

It’s been a dismal start to the season for Hearts, who had to wait until the start of October to pick up their first win of the campaign, but things now appear to be moving in the right direction.

The dreadful beginning cost Steven Naismith his job, but new boss Neil Critchley has made a bright start at Tynecastle and the Jambos look a cracking bet to down Kilmarnock. 

Hearts were held to a 1-1 draw by Hibs in the Edinburgh derby on Sunday, but the Jambos played with credit in that contest and it came after midweek European action for the Jam Tarts. 

Critchley’s side had previously beaten Omonia Nicosia 2-0 in the Conference League and that comfortable success followed a 4-0 hammering of St Mirren.

That cluster of results suggest that Hearts are finding their feet and that could spell trouble for Killie. 

The visitors will be without Liam Donnelly, who was sent off in Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Ross County and Derek McInnes’ men could come up short in the capital. 

Special of the day

Brighton draw no bet v Liverpool @ 13/10 

Liverpool have an excellent record this season, but the Reds have enjoyed a kind run of fixtures and things haven’t been as impressive when Arne Slot’s men have stepped up in class. 

Liverpool picked up a 2-2 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday, but the Gunners had the Merseyside men in big trouble in that contest and the Reds were also fortunate to beat Chelsea 2-1.

Defeat to Nottingham Forest and single-goal margin victories at Crystal Palace and Wolves don’t inspire confidence in Slot’s men beating Brighton and there has to be the prospect of a much-changed side in this EFL Cup tie. 

The Seagulls are a top-level team, who have to be considered in the race for a top-six finish and it is just one defeat for Fabian Hurzeler’s men this season. 

At 13/10 Brighton have to be a draw no bet play at the Amex on Wednesday evening. 

Long shot of the day

Tottenham to score first and win @ 12/5

Tottenham and Man City will have ambitions far beyond the EFL Cup this season, but Spurs aren’t balancing a gruelling Champions League campaign alongside domestic commitments and that may hand Ange Postecoglou’s side the edge. 

City are already missing Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne through injury and any further knocks would leave Pep Guardiola’s side a little short of quality. 

It seems likely that Guardiola will take the opportunity to rotate his starting line-up on the trip to north London and that could open the door for a big-priced punt. 

Spurs are available at 12-5 to score the first goal and go on to win that match and that’s a bet which makes plenty of appeal.

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