After being drawn at home to Sunderland in the last 16 of the EFL Cup, Saints know they have a great chance of a semi final place if they despatch the Black Cats.

With several more premier League clubs going out of the League Cup this week Saints are once again looking at a draw that could clear a path towards their first Wembley appearance in a major cup final since they lost to Nottingham Forest in the same competition in 1979.

If they take care of Sunderland in the next round to be played on 25/26th October then they will be in a quarter final draw that would see at best only another five Premier League clubs in the hat and at least two of the so called big six being eliminated.

Although there are only two ties that guarantee a non Premier League club going through, both Reading and Bristol City may fancy their chances of an upset against Arsenal and Hull respectively.

So if Saints do beat Sunderland, a team who like Palace were prior to yesterday, have been a thorn in our side in cup competitions in recent years, knocking us out of both the FA & League cups in 2013/14, then we will be in a last 8 that could open up a path to at least a semi final and possibly more.

This is a competition that could prove our best chance of success this season so we need to grasp the opportunities that it may offer.

Photo: Action Images

TheMoog added 11:11 - Sep 22 With Man City (A) a few days before and Chelsea (H) a few days after the squad rotation will have to be done very carefully.
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ericofarabia added 11:23 - Sep 22 Man Citeh away .... a free hit? The way they are going at the moment, we'd have to play out of our skins just to stop a thrashing!!
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SanMarco added 17:33 - Sep 22 We always do well in League Cup quarter finals...................or do we???
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ericofarabia added 22:33 - Sep 22 LC Quarter Finals are not one of our better fixtures. The last 2 season's saw the calamitous 6-1 drubbing by Liverpool at SMS and the year before the most disappointing performances at Sheffield Utd. Back in the 90's a defeat against Stockport which brought Dave Jones to our attention, and I'm sure there were others.
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stmichael added 12:02 - Sep 27 Some very painful defeats in the 80,s. Luton and Oldham at home after extra time. Last minute equalizer by Hughes at home to ManU after Shearer had given us a late lead - we lost the replay. 3 very painful defeats.
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