by S. Graveson

Created on: February 23, 2011   Last Updated: March 18, 2011

The Carling Cup (also known as the League Cup in England) has often been seen as being somewhat a secondary tournament where the top English Premier League (EPL) often play their reserves and youth players. This has left the tournament being one full of upsets, most notably West Ham United's 4-0 win over one of the tournament's favourites Manchester United. Despite it's “lesser” status the final between Arsenal and Birmingham City on February 27th promises to be a final that is largely overlooked.

Going into the game Arsenal have reached the highs of beating Barcelona (2-1 in the first leg of a champions league tie) and the lows of drawing 1-1 with Leyton Ortient in an FA cup tie. They'll have also played the Stoke in a tough EPL game prior to the League Cup final. In totally they will have played (including the League Final) 3 games in a week, 4 games in 11 days and 5 games in 15 days. A tiring schedule for a team chasing the EPL title and one that only seems to be getting tough with games on the 2nd, 5th and 8th of March. With the League Cup being viewed as somewhat a poorer trophy it's possible that they will rest key players that will be starting the 5th March game (an EPL game with Sunderland) and the 8th March game (the 2nd leg of their Champions League tie with Barcelona).

For Birmingham their schedule is much easier, they'll have had over a weeks rest since last playing when they beat Sheffield 3-0 in an FA Cup tie. The rest may have done them some good, though it could also have done them more harm than good as they could well have lost their sharpness. Like Arsenal the league is a priority, but unlike Arsenal who are challenging for the league Birmingham are battling to remain in the EPL and are just 3 points safe of the drop zone. With their next game being the following weekend it's expected Birmingham will play a near full strength team and one playing for some pride and some silver wear.

The final guarantees the winner a trophy, Birmingham haven't had any noteworthy trophy's since the 1995 Football League Trophy (and then you need to go back to the 1956 League Cup for a really notable trophy). Though Arsenal in recent years have also had their trophy cabinet looking rather bare with out a trophy themselves since the 2005 FA Cup. Though History has shown that this isn't usually the trophy Arsenal win. They've reached the final a brilliant 6 times though won just twice (1987 and 1993) with their most recent loss in the final coming in

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