Liverpool vs Chelsea prediction: League Cup preview and betting tips

Liverpool

Chelsea

🏆 League Cup🕒 Kick-off: 28.10.2026 · 21:00 WAT / 23:00 EAT

Liverpool host Chelsea at Anfield on Wednesday 28 October, kick-off 20:00 UTC, in the League Cup fourth round. This preview covers form, head-to-head, injuries and what the odds suggest, before our pick: Both teams to score @ 1.4.

Our predictionBoth teams to score

1.4

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Form: two different moods

Liverpool arrive on four straight wins, and Andoni Iraola has called squad rotation mandatory because of a crowded fixture list. Their only defeat this season came against Manchester City, 3-0, after Ryan Gravenberch was sent off.

Chelsea are harder to read. They lost 2-0 at home to Tottenham on Saturday, a result that has piled pressure on Xabi Alonso. Still, the Blues have scored 17 top-flight goals, and their defensive shape remains the big question mark.

Head-to-head

The last meeting ended 1-1 in the Premier League on 9 May 2026. Alonso has lost both of his previous visits to Anfield, with Bayer Leverkusen (4-0) and Real Madrid (1-0).

Liverpool have also been hard to beat at home in this rivalry, unbeaten in their last five league meetings at Anfield with three draws and two wins. That is a record the home side will be happy to protect.

Team news

Liverpool are without Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni and Dominik Szoboszlai through injury. Florian Wirtz is viewed as available after a late fitness boost, while Victor Munoz is still doubtful. Expect changes, with Alisson and Virgil van Dijk possibly rested before the weekend clash with Arsenal.

Chelsea have Cole Palmer suspended after his red card against Tottenham. Joao Pedro is set to miss a few weeks with a thigh injury, Reece James remains out, and Emiliano Martinez is sidelined with a broken jaw. On the plus side, Emmanuel Emegha is in the squad and could make his Chelsea debut.

What to expect on the pitch

We expect an open cup tie. Liverpool have more depth, but rotation opens gaps, especially at full-back. Chelsea, without their usual centre-forward, will look to their bench, where Estevao and Danny Welbeck can make an impact.

Our reasoning is simple. Both sides have defensive questions: Chelsea were heavily criticised after the Spurs defeat, and Liverpool have their own concerns at the back. With both capable of creating chances on the break, Both teams to score at 1.4 makes sense as a measured play.

Our prediction

Our pick is Both teams to score @ 1.4. At a price this short the return is modest, so we recommend moderate stakes rather than a shortcut to profit. We could not confirm live odds for this match, so check the current price before you bet. No bet is guaranteed.

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