Chelsea vs Liverpool Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips | Carabao Cup Final

Chelsea vs Liverpool Preview

Chelsea take on Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final this week at the Wembley Stadium. The two sides meet for the second time in three years and the Blues are looking for revenge for their loss in the 2022 final.

Liverpool head into the game after wins over Luton Town and Brentford in the last one week. They won both games 4-1 despite having injury issues and that left assistant manager Pep Lijnders proud of his players. He said in the pre-match press conference:

“It’s also good in life to accept what you have, so that is what we’re trying to do. It brought us success in the past and we try to keep it. We have a few injuries so we get young players, players who didn’t play five in a row but they can show up and that is really cool. This season is a season we already created new teams, it’s a compliment to our squad and our academy.”

Chelsea are coming into the game full of confidence as well after wins over Aston Villa and Crystal Palace. However, their biggest boost was the draw at Manchester City as the young showed they could step up and deliver. 

Mauricio Pochettino was not happy with claims from Jurgen Klopp that Liverpool were underdogs going into the game and hit back at the German manager. He said:

“Because he’s one of the best, with Pep, coaches in the world. He’s clever enough. He knows that when you play a final, circumstances can happen. If they are not favourites, we are not favourites [laughs]. They have experience in competing like a team, being involved in different finals. For some of us, it’s maybe their first final. He is clever enough.”

Chelsea have been dealing with at least six players every week this season, including Reece James, Thiago Silva, and Wesley Fonana, while Nkunku was also out for most of the season. 

Also Read: How to watch Carabao Cup Final | Chelsea vs Liverpool

Chelsea vs Liverpool Team News 

Liverpool go into the final with as many as seven players out injured. Joel Matip, Diogo Jota, Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thiago, Curtis Jones and Stefan Bajcetic are ruled out. Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nuez and Dominik Szoboszlai face late fitness test ahead of the final. 

Pep Lijnders commented on the injuries and said:

“Dominik [Szoboszlai], Darwin and [Salah], we really have to see. We have two more days. Then we will check if they can be there. It would be great to be honest. Curtis has high ankle strain. He will be (back) in and around the international break.”

He added:

“Ali, muscle injury, after the international break, it will really take time. Trent, lateral ligament. He will be after the international break. Jots, medial ligament. He will be after the international break. After the international break means that we are not sure (the exact date).

Also Read: Chelsea, Liverpool to receive THIS prize money on winning Carabao Cup Final

Chelsea are also in a similar situation with Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia, and Lesley Ugochukwu ruled out. Thiago Silva and Marc Cucurella are in partial team training and could make the squad. 

Pochettino commented on the injuries and said:

“I think we need to assess to see whether they can be involved on Sunday. Yes, I will communicate tomorrow if we recovered players from training. Yes, he [Thiago Silva] has the chance. Tomorrow, we will see.”

Chelsea vs Liverpool Predicted Lineups

Liverpool are expected to stick with the same XI that defeated Luton Town this week, unless the likes of Salah and Nunez return. They are unlikely to make drastic changes even if the attacking duo are ruled out as they have alternatives in every position.

Kelleher should be in goal once again with Alisson ruled out while Bradley will start as the left-back with Trent injured. Van Dijk and Quansah will be the center-backs and Robertson could replace Gomez as the left-back.

Mac Allister, Endo, and Gravenberch should keep their places in the midfield. The only change will be the Dutchman making way if Szoboszlai is fit to play from the start. 

In attack, Elliott, Gakpo and Diaz are likely to lead the attack. If Salah and Nunez are fit, they will replace Elliott and Gakpo and join Diaz up front. 

Predicted XI: Kelleher, Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson, Mac Allister, Endo, Gravenberch, Elliott, Gakpo, Diaz

Chelsea are unlikely to change the starting XI that drew at Manchester City last week. Petrovic now faces competition from Sanchez as the Spaniard is fully fit but should keep his place in the team. 

Gusto, Disasi, Colweill and Chilwell should keep their places as none of the other regulars are fit and available for the game. Enzo, Caicedo and Gallagher have done well in the midfield and will be the first names on the team sheet. 

Palmer and Sterling are expected to join Nicolas Jackson in attack. The only chance could be Nkunku replacing Sterling, but it looks unlikely.

Predicted XI: Petrovic, Gusto, Disasi, Colweill, Chilwell, Caicedo, Enzo, Gallagher, Sterling, Palmer, Jackson

Chelsea vs Liverpool Head-to-Head

Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea 

Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea 

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Chelsea vs Liverpool Prediction: 

Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea have seen their chances slightly improve with both sides going into the game with injury issues. However, Liverpool will still remain the favorites for the trophy and should get the win. 

Prediction: Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool

Chelsea vs Liverpool Betting Tips

• Liverpool to Win
• Both Teams To Score: Yes.
• Over 3.5 Goals: No.

Chelsea vs Liverpool Odds

• Chelsea Win: 3.20
• Draw: 3.65
• Liverpool Win: 2.12

Chelsea vs Liverpool Timings & Telecast

• Wembley – 25th February – 15:00 GMT
• India: FanCode
• United Kingdom: Sky Sports
• US: ESPN