Will the Blues get double revenge?
The EFL Cup round of 16 is already upon us, and we’ve got a pick and odds for the high-profile matchup between Liverpool and Chelsea! There’s no need to rehash the debate over the competition’s standing here. Generally speaking, there are more important trophies on the island that the clubs have their sights set on.
However, this currently applies primarily to the home team. The “Blues” aren’t competing internationally this season. As a result, they’re playing fewer games than their opponent, and their focus is likely a bit more on the “silverware” that the EFL Cup could bring.
Against this backdrop, we expect a more motivated visiting team, while at LFC, one or two starters may initially sit on the bench as part of load management. In light of this, for the EFL Cup match between Liverpool and Chelsea, we’re going with a Double Chance bet in favor of the Londoners.
However, the hosts should keep a close eye on Alexander Isak in particular: The Swede is in top form and has found the back of the net in Liverpool’s last three Premier League matches. His previous thigh injury, which sidelined him for two games in mid-October, appears to have fully healed.
Liverpool – Chelsea Head-to-Head Record
The teams last faced each other in the Premier League in May of this year. That match also took place on the Mersey and ended in a 1-1 draw. Thanks to the draw, Chelsea is now unbeaten in three consecutive meetings against this opponent (2-1-0).
On top of that, Chelsea has lost only two of its last six away games at Anfield Road (1-3-2). The visitors also have a score to settle with LFC from the EFL Cup following their loss in the 2024 final. The defeat was particularly bitter, as it wasn’t sealed until extra time, following a last-minute goal by van Dijk in the 118th minute.
The penultimate cup match between the two clubs was also a final. It ended no less painfully for Chelsea. In May 2022, while still under Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool won the FA Cup at London’s Wembley Stadium after a penalty shootout. So, from the visitors’ perspective, the scores to settle are slowly piling up. Bookmakers now view the upcoming match as fairly even. However, the odds for the Liverpool vs. Chelsea match lean only slightly against a successful comeback for Chelsea.
Liverpool – Chelsea Prediction
Chelsea recently visited Liverpool. In the Premier League, the Londoners faced Everton.
Against the “Toffees,” CFC recorded a 2-0 away win, and with that victory, Coach Xabi Alonso’s team shook off their previous away struggles this season—which included two losses in their first three away league games.
Due to their two recent final losses in the FA Cup and EFL Cup, the visitors will also take the field with extra motivation. On top of that, Chelsea currently has little on its plate due to last season’s poor performance. While Liverpool is competing internationally in the Champions League, Chelsea must limit itself to domestic competitions this season.
As a result, the Londoners are less exhausted, and even the EFL Cup—which is usually met with derision at Stamford Bridge—currently holds greater significance for the visitors. In light of these factors, for the Round of 16 match between Liverpool and Chelsea, we’re betting on the visitors not to lose after 90 minutes. This prediction is supported by LFC’s defense, which has generally been shaky lately, conceding an average of 2.5 goals per game over their last five competitive matches.
