Liverpool are still on course to defend their EFL Cup title as they face Tottenham Hotspur in the semi-final first leg on Wednesday. There have been goals in recent meetings and with both teams looking unconvincing at the back lately, a thrilling contest is expected.
A 4-3 victory over Manchester United in the last round earned Tottenham Hotspur a place in Wednesday’s semi-final clash. However, that was the last time Ange Postecoglu’s men earned a victory as they are without a win in their last four matches and were beaten 2-1 by Newcastle United in the Premier League last weekend.
That result brings Tottenham’s struggling defence to attention as they have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five matches in all competitions. There have also been second half goals for both teams in four of their last six home fixtures in all competitions.
Goals from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliot were enough to give Liverpool a 2-1 victory over Southampton in the previous round of the competition. The Reds are still the team to beat in the topflight this season as they remain top of the Premier League while maintaining their challenge in other competitions.
Having begun the season by being disciplined at the back, Liverpool have struggled defensively lately, failing to keep a clean sheet in four of their last five matches. Their matches also take a while to get going as there have been more goals after the break in five of their last seven away matches in all competitions.
How the bookies view it: Reds with the edge
Liverpool have the upper hand among the bookies and are priced at 11/20 by BoyleSports to claim the win. A victory for Tottenham is valued at 14/5 while BoyleSports are also offering odds of 7/3 for a draw.
Head to head: Liverpool on top
Liverpool have an 82-44 edge with 42 draws from 168 previous matches against Tottenham. The Reds have won three of the last four meetings and ran out 6-3 winners when both teams met at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Premier League in December.
Players to watch: Eyes on Gakpo
Cody Gakpo is in good form for Liverpool at the moment and has scored in his last three matches in all competitions. The forward has also been on target in two of the last three matches against Tottenham and is priced at 13/8 to find the net on Wednesday.
Dominic Solanke netted a brace for Tottenham Hotspur in the previous round and could be worth keeping an eye on. The striker has four goals in his last five matches in all competitions and is valued at 2/1 by BoyleSports to get on the score sheet.
Probable line-ups
Son Heung-Min and James Maddison both made second half appearances in the defeat to Newcastle United and should return to the starting line-up on Wednesday. Radu Dragusin went off injured at Newcastle, which could see Archie Gray and Djed Spence partner at centre-back like they did in the second half.
Liverpool are likely to rotate their squad, with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Alisson Becker starting on the bench. Caoimhin Kelleher should continue his run in the EFL Cup while Diogo Jota, Harvey Elliott and Connor Bradley are also pushing to start.
Tottenham Hotspur: Austin, Reguillon, Spencer, Gray, Porro, Sarr, Bissouma, Son, Maddison, Kulusevski, Solanke
Liverpool: Kelleher, Tsimikas, Konate, Van Dijk, Bradley, Endo, Jones, Elliott, Gakpo, Jota, Nunez
Anything else catch the eye?
There have been over 3.5 goals in three of the last four matches between Tottenham and Liverpool and a repeat is priced at 8/11 with BoyleSports. Both teams have had second half goals in three of the last four meetings and a similar pattern is valued at 23/20 with BoyleSports.
With both teams likely to score after the break, it could be tipped as the highest scoring half at 5/6 with BoyleSports.
This EFL Cup match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool will be played on Jan 8, 2025 and kick off at 19:00. Check below for our tipsters best Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
