Prediction and odds for the game: Liverpool (evens) v Arsenal (12/5)

We are backing the home win

When: Thursday, 1st October 2020, Kick-off 19:45

Where: Anfield

On Thursday night, Liverpool host Arsenal at Anfield for the second time in less than a week, as the pair clash in the Carabao Cup last-16.

Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp’s team have made a strong start to the new campaign, as expected. The Reds have won all three of their Premier League games, while also recording a resounding 7-2 victory at Lincoln City in this competition last time out.

The Reds last outing was a 3-1 win over Thursday night’s opponents on Monday night. Klopp’s team also eliminated the Gunners from this competition last season, beating the club from north London on penalty kicks after an incredible 5-5 draw.

Liverpool head coach Klopp has used this competition to play some of his fringe and young players. That is a contributing factor to the Merseysider’s winning just two of their last eight games in the League Cup. The reigning English champions have bigger priorities this season.

The home side are once again expected to field a rotated line-up. The likes of Curtis Jones, Neco Williams and Harvey Elliott could start. New signing Diogo Jota may make his full debut after coming off the bench last time out to score his first Liverpool goal.

Arsenal

The Gunners had won their first two games before the trip to Anfield on Monday. Their performance was not terrible in defeat, but like Liverpool, this is nowhere near the top of the Gunners list of priority competitions this season. With so many teams not taking it seriously, though, it could be a chance for Mikel Arteta to add some more silverware to the club’s trophy cabinet. The Spaniard guided his team to the FA Cup last season. Winning any trophy would be an achievement.

The Gunners have won four of their last six games in the League Cup while losing just once over 90 minutes and suffering that penalty defeat at Anfield. Their recent games in the competition have been high-scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored in six of their last eight matches.

However, Arsenal have a patchy recent away record in the Carabao Cup, winning just two of their previous five matches on their travels in the competition.

Like the home side, the visitors are likely to rotate their squad, with the likes of Reiss Nelson, Joe Willock and Bukayo Saka hoping to start the game.

Conclusion

It is far from easy to predict who will win these League Cup games, as both teams tend to field rotated starting line-ups. However, even a weakened Liverpool team has produced decent cup performances in recent seasons, so we are backing Klopp’s team to come out on top in this clash. The other bet we are recommending is Diogo Jota to be an anytime goalscorer. The goal on his debut will have raised his confidence and he tends to be a player that scores in streaks.

Verdict: We are backing the home win at evens and Diogo Jota to be an anytime goalscorer at odds of 3/1. (All odds are taken from Bet365).

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