Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final first-leg tie between Tottenham and Arsenal brings excitement to this much-maligned tournament with Chelsea awaiting the winners in the final.

As has been the case in recent years, it's going to be tough for the home side to get the upper hand against their neighbours.

The Gunners are bang on form, rescuing three points against Manchester United with Thierry Henry's last-gasp header at Emirates on Sunday.

But Arsene Wenger has tended to use this tournament to blood his youngsters and he will continue along that theme, buoyed by the fact that they have already beaten Everton and, in the last round, Liverpool with a very young side.

Tottenham, who have reportedly jumped to the front of the queue to sign Southampton whizzkid Gareth Bale, have already lost 3-0 to their North London rivals although that was at the Emirates and in the face of some questionable refereeing decisions.

Martin Jol is desperate to finish the season with silverware and he will have his side up for the challenge.

Given that they will have their strongest side out, Spurs are the slight favourites with Betterbet.com offering 5/4 and we think the home side - with a partisan crowd behind them - will come through by the odd goal.

Whether that will be enough to survive the second-leg is a question for another day.