Liverpool (home)
- Arne Slot’s possession-based Reds can be just as tough to crack in a different way as they are a structured, controlled team that dictate the pace and space of the game with their build-up, positional overloads and trigger-based pressing.
- But Liverpool have stumbled in three of their last five across all competitions, albeit two of those games were against Manchester United and Chelsea.
- Slot’s side came back with a bang in the Champions League to destroy Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 on Saturday, demonstrating how quickly he can turn around the mood of the camp after domestic setbacks.
Crystal Palace (away)
- There is an air of invincibility about Crystal Palace at the moment as they ride high in the top half of the table with 12-13 points from their opening six games.
- Oliver Glasner has turned them into a disciplined, counter-attacking side with a mean defensive streak and a real set-piece threat that makes them a major threat to the Reds in this Carabao Cup clash.
- The Eagles are unbeaten in their last five competitive games, a run that includes a thrilling 3-3 draw against Bournemouth and a 2-0 Europa Conference League win at Dynamo Kyiv.
- This Liverpool vs Crystal Palace betting tips preview suggests the Eagles, who also beat Liverpool2-1 at Selhurst Park in September, have the momentum to carry a scare into this fixture.
Head-to-Head
- Crystal Palace have beaten Liverpool in both meetings this season, winning 2-1 in the Premier League and claiming the Community Shield on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Wembley.
- The last three competitive meetings between the sides have all ended level or with a Palace win.
Key Players
- Jean-Philippe Mateta is Palace’s in-form player with a hat-trick against Bournemouth, while Eddie Nketiah has shown the ability to be a big-game player with a 97th-minute winner against Liverpool and a knack for big goals in Europe.
- Ismaïla Sarr’s blistering pace and directness from deep are a constant threat on the counter and Cody Gakpo provides flexibility across Slot’s frontline rotation.
- Mohamed Salah is still that man, capable of coming off the bench and changing the flow of the contest with his pace and clinical finishing.
Betting Insights
- Our Liverpool vs Crystal Palace betting tips identify Liverpool as favorites at 1.56 to win with home advantage and deeper resources, but Palace’s recent results tell a story that suggests the EFL Cup tie could go the distance.
- The Over 2.5 goals market looks good at 1.55 given the nature of the fixture and the fact that both sides have been involved in several high-scoring games recently.
Prediction
Our Liverpool vs Crystal Palace prediction: Palace can make this as tight as they like, but in an EFL Cup game where Liverpool ’s firepower and depth should eventually tell, take the hosts to edge it.
