Fulham vs Liverpool Prediction: Back Cottagers Again

The second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals features a match between Fulham and Liverpool. The Carabao Cup, also referred to as the EFL Cup or the League Cup, is open to clubs in the top four levels of the English domestic system. The victorious team in this clash will advance to the final, where they will face either Chelsea or Middlesbrough, competing for the coveted championship. Continue reading to access an expert Fulham vs Liverpool prediction and explore stats and the latest Carabao Cup odds.

  • Fulham FC vs Liverpool FC, Carabao Cup (League Cup, EFL Cup) semi-final (2nd leg)
  • January 24, 2024
  • 3 PM EST
  • Craven Cottage, Fulham, England
  • ESPN+

Liverpool vs Fulham Prediction: Who do Sportsbooks Favor?

Liverpool are only slight favorites this time around, mainly due to the setting of this leg in Craven Cottage. At (-132), bookmakers are implying a win probability of 56.9% for the Reds. Fulham is priced at a line of (+350) to win in regulation. A draw, which would advance Liverpool to the final, is set at (+305).

League CupBetOnline ReviewBetUS ReviewBovadaXBet ReviewBetNow Review
Fulham+330+350+330+315+350
Liverpool-132-137-135-150-137
Draw+305+275+300+300+275

Want to better understand the 3-way moneyline (1X2) market? See our soccer betting tips and learn about English Premier League betting odds.

Carabao Cup Odds and Format

The Carabao Cup, known as the EFL Cup or League Cup, is a domestic knockout tournament in England, welcoming clubs from the top four tiers of English football: The Premier League, the Championship, and Leagues One and Two. The defending champions, Manchester United, have been eliminated from this year’s competition. The upcoming final at Wembley Stadium on February 25, 2024, will determine a new champion from the contenders Middlesbrough, Chelsea, Liverpool, or Fulham.

Liverpool has advanced to the semi-final by securing victories over Premier League rivals West Ham and Bournemouth. Their League Cup journey began with a triumph over Championship-leading Leicester. Fulham, on the other hand, secured a narrow victory against Everton in the lead-up to this League Cup match. Furthermore, the Cottagers overcame challenges from Ipswich, Norwich, and even Tottenham, marking an impressive journey to the final four.

Liverpool Team News and Lineup

Liverpool will enter Craven Cottage just three days removed from their 4-0 thrashing of AFC Bournemouth. The away match was a rare Premier League fixture in January during peak domestic cup season. Braces from Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota made up the scoring, all of which occurred in the second half.

In lineup news, Endo and Tomiyasu remain in Japan for their Asian Cup duties. Manager Jurgen Klopp is additionally expected to face the absence of Thiago Alcantara, Stefan Bajcetic, Joel Matip, Ben Doak, Kostas Tsimikas, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Andrew Robertson for an extended period. There is a possibility that Dominik Szoboszlai’s thigh issue might recover in time for him to be available against Fulham. His return would be well-timed, especially considering Curtis Jones reported hamstring tightness after the Bournemouth match.

Mo Salah Injured, Returns to Liverpool

Mo Salah was to remain away from the club during the African Cup of Nations, but the Egyptian superstar has returned early to undergo treatment for a hamstring injury he suffered in a match last week. Deemed to be worse than initially feared, Salah opted to travel to England rather than remain with his national team.

This decision has sparked backlash from supporters including Pharaohs’ legend Ahmed Hassan. The most-capped Egyptian player cites the opportunity to invite a Liverpool medical staff member to the team, as well as duties as a captain, as reasons to remain with Egypt as they enter the knockout rounds. It was originally reported that Salah has the potential to still play in the AFCON in the semifinal, if his rehab goes well and Egypt advances that far in the tournament without their star player. However, more recent reports indicate he will be out for 21-28 days, a timeline that supersedes the AFCON Final on February 11, effectively vanquishing Salah’s hopes of playing again.

LiverpoolTo Defeat Fulham
★★★★★
-132
Bet now

Potential EPL Comeback: Fulham Transfer Rumors Surrounding Firmino

Primarily recognized in the United States as the club that warmly welcomed American striker Clint Dempsey, Fulham is a West London-based team boasting a rich history in English football. Managed by Portuguese coach Marco Silva, the Cottagers currently hold the 13th position in the table, conceding 36 goals this season.

In intriguing developments involving both clubs, former Liverpool star Roberto Firmino is contemplating a return to Premier League action, potentially donning the Fulham badge. Having relocated to Saudi Arabia last season and joining Al-Ahli on a free transfer, the Brazilian striker is now linked with a move to Fulham. Firmino, who showcased his prowess with 3 goals and 2 assists in 17 appearances in the Saudi Pro League, could join the ranks of ex-Reds Harry Wilson and Fabio Carvalho at Craven Cottage.

While Firmino’s transfer to Fulham remains uncertain and won’t impact the upcoming Wednesday game, the news adds an interesting dimension. Fulham’s trend of attracting former Liverpool players might provide them with an edge against the mentioned club, given the players’ familiarity with Jurgen Klopp’s tactics.

Fulham vs Liverpool Prediction and Free Betting Pick

Fulham come into this match with a big rest advantage, having not played since the first leg of this semifinal. Liverpool, on the other hand, just played Bournemouth on the road on Sunday. The Reds will also be missing their main marksman Mohamed Salah, now injured after representing his home country of Egypt in the African Cup of Nations. To make matters worse, they will also be without their Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo for his international cup duties as well.

Fulham are being extremely discredited against a depleted, fatigued Reds side. The Cottagers typically keep this fixture close, avoiding multiple goal losses in the last six editions, including two draws and a victory at Anfield. Fulham was leading for 70 minutes of the last match and will have confidence they can earn a win on home turf, potentially forcing extra time or penalties.

I too am confident Fulham can play the pesty underdog role well despite their defensive shortcomings. Fulham will be putting more men forward, as a win is necessary to continue their trophy aspirations.

With that in mind, playing their moneyline is the best way to go. Buying goals in this situation is not a viable plan, as Fulham will take significant risks if the game is level. Keep at a half unit due to the low likelihood nature, but take Fulham to win this and shock Reds supporters in a match that has all the intangibles stacked in favor of the Cottagers.

FulhamTo Defeat Liverpool
★★★★★
+350
Bet now

Top Sportsbooks for Carabao Cup Odds

Explore some of the best sportsbooks for online betting below. Each website is reviewed by MyTopSportsbooks for user experience, customer service, new member promos, and more.

Badge ranking partner

1

★★★★★

Bonus

50% up to $1,000

Bet Now
Badge ranking partner

2

★★★★★

Bonus

125% Sports Bonus - up to $2,500

Bet Now
Badge ranking partner

3

★★★★☆

Bonus

100% up to $1,000

Bet Now

Will Chace

From Boston, Will's passion for sports is more of a hereditary characteristic than a learned hobby. He regularly attends games in the area such as those of the Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, New England Patriots, New England Revolution. He also enjoys the world of mixed martial arts (MMA), having made the trek down to New York to see major ufc events like UFC 268. Beyond typical American pro and college sports, Will devours practically any type of sports that crosses his path, including F1, tennis, and golf. During his college years, Will found a way to fuse his unwavering passion for sports with his natural talent for writing, embarking on a journey as a sports journalist. This career path allowed him to blend his keen insights with his knack for storytelling, capturing the essence of athletic events and personalities in vivid detail. Today, Will has evolved into a trusted figure in the realm of sports betting analysis. Drawing on his extensive knowledge and intuitive grasp of the intricacies of various sports, he provides meticulous insights aimed at helping others capitalize on their own sports expertise. What sets him apart is his ability to uncover nuanced observations that often elude casual observers, presenting his findings with a straightforward, no-frills approach that resonates with his audience. When he's not meticulously dissecting sports matchups or analyzing betting odds, you'll likely find Will unwinding on his couch, delving into the captivating narratives of foreign films or picking up the odd book here and there. This eclectic mix of interests reflects his deep appreciation for both the thrill of competition and the artistry of storytelling.