Liverpool vs Chelsea Carabao Cup Preview: How to watch, betting tips and predictions

The Carabao Cup may be Liverpool and Chelsea’s best chance of silverware this season – adding extra importance to tonight’s Last 16 clash at Anfield.

Andoni Iraola and Xabi Alonso are in the midst of their maiden campaigns on Merseyside and in West London, as they set about rebuilding two of England’s biggest clubs in their respective images.

There is no better way to solidify your authority than by winning a trophy, but claiming top spot in the Premier League – or competing for the Champions League, in Liverpool’s case – may be challenging, at this stage of the duo’s tenures.

The Carabao Cup potentially offers a more realistic route to glory, especially considering Arsenal’s shock exit at the hands of fourth-tier Fleetwood Town on Tuesday evening.

Manchester City could be the only ‘big six’ opponent remaining when the quarter-final draw takes place following this fixture, though even they face a tough test at home to Brighton.

As such, this should be considered a major opportunity for both Iraola and Alonso, with the increased possibility of a kind route to the final.

Plenty is at stake, then – and we’re sure that you won’t want to miss a minute of tonight’s action.

So, here’s everything you need to know about how to watch the game, a few betting tips and our prediction for how the match will unfold…

Carabao Cup: How to watch Liverpool vs Chelsea on TV tonight

Viewers in the United Kingdom don’t even need a subscription package to watch Liverpool’s Carabao Cup Last 16 clash with Chelsea.

The encounter is being shown on domestic television courtesy of ITV1, with the action kicking off at 8pm BST (Wednesday 28th October).

Anyone wishing to tune in for the build-up can do so from 7.30pm BST, though, as that’s when ITV’s pre-match show gets underway.

The game is being aired on ITV Player as well, or STV / STV Player if you’re based up in Scotland.

And if you prefer Sky Sports’ Carabao Cup coverage then you’re in luck, as they also have the rights to show this tantalising match-up.

It is airing on Sky Sports Main Event, with build-up starting even earlier than on ITV – at 7pm BST, to be precise.

Carabao Cup: Betting tips for Liverpool vs Chelsea

LiveScore Bet have Liverpool as the favourites to beat Chelsea at Anfield, which is perhaps no surprise considering the teams’ form heading into this fixture – and the Reds’ home advantage.

Liverpool have won their previous two Premier League matches against Brentford (2-1) and most recently Brighton (2-0).

They are also on a four-game unbeaten run in all competitions, having defeated LASK (6-3) and Villarreal (4-3) while in Champions League action.

Chelsea did secure back-to-back wins earlier this month versus Bournemouth (5-1) and Everton (2-0), but followed that up with a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham (0-2) on Saturday.

The odds you can get on this game with LiveScore Bet depend on whether you choose to activate their ‘2UP’ option, or to go for ‘enhanced odds’ instead.

What is 2UP, I hear you ask? Well, if you place a single, multi or Bet Builder bet on a team to win before the start of the event – and if they go two goals ahead at any stage in the first 90 minutes of the match – LiveScore Bet will pay out your bet as a winner, regardless of whether the opposition come back to draw or win the match! (Terms and conditions apply).

The 2UP odds are as follows, at the time of writing: Liverpool win 49/50, the draw at 11/4 and Chelsea win 31/20 (all within 90 minutes).

Or, with enhanced odds, at the time of writing: Liverpool win 11/10, the draw at 11/4 and Chelsea win 7/4 (all within 90 minutes).

There may be some interest in Alexander Isak, too, with the Reds forward currently on a hot streak of three goals in three Premier League games – and with a total of six for the season.

LiveScore Bet are offering odds of 4/1 that he will score first this evening, or 27/20 anytime at the time of writing.

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Carabao Cup: Liverpool vs Chelsea prediction

Availability of key players could play a significant part in this match – particularly from a Chelsea perspective.

They are missing star striker João Pedro, as Alonso confirmed earlier this week:

“He [João Pedro] has an injury of his thigh and he is going to be out for a few weeks,” he said.

“Let’s see how many. We don’t want to predict on that, but he is not ready for the next games.”

There are also issues at the opposite end of the pitch, with Mike Penders enduring a difficult debut against Tottenham after regular goalkeeper Emi Martínez fractured his jaw.

Elsewhere, Cole Palmer is suspended, following his sending off in that aforementioned game against Spurs.

Both teams may rotate their squads, of course, considering the rigours of the Premier League schedule.

That is particularly likely for Liverpool, who are having to fight on an additional front with their continental commitments this season.

Regardless, the Reds’ solid form and home advantage may well be enough to see them emerge victorious here – despite the likely absences of Dominik Szoboszlai and Víctor Muñoz.

Former Liverpool players Alonso and Jordan Henderson will be desperate to triumph this evening, but it could be an unhappy return to Anfield for the Chelsea pair.

Prediction: Liverpool to progress to the quarter-finals