Fulham vs Liverpool Carabao Cup SF Leg 2: Preview and Prediction

On Wednesday, Fulham will be hosting Liverpool at Craven Cottage for the second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final. Following the initial leg on January 10, Liverpool holds a 2-1 aggregate lead. The victor in this clash will advance to the final and face either Chelsea or Middlesbrough.

Fulham vs Liverpool Match Preview

Liverpool are leading the Premier League but still faces a challenge in securing a spot in the Carabao Cup final against Fulham. The recent 4-0 victory over Bournemouth extended their lead to five points over Manchester City. Despite losing Mo Salah to the Africa Cup of Nations, Liverpool remains resilient, and Klopp is relieved that Salah’s injury on international duty seems manageable.

Klopp faces the task of keeping key players fit due to Liverpool’s hectic schedule as they aim for a potential quadruple this season. The League Cup is their first opportunity for silverware, and they hold a 2-1 advantage over Fulham after a thrilling semi-final first leg.

The Anfield clash saw goals from both sides, with Liverpool securing a lead through a second-half comeback. Fulham, having lost 1-0 to Chelsea in the Premier League, now has a 10-day preparation period for the crucial Carabao Cup showdown. Despite never reaching the final before, Fulham, under Marco Silva, has a chance to cause an upset, especially given Liverpool’s tendency to provide scoring opportunities.

For Fulham, Willian, the former Chelsea player, has become a fan favourite at Fulham due to his trickery and directness in the final third. With an eye for goal, Willian has already scored five goals, including one in the first leg of the EFL Cup tie against Liverpool.

His contributions will be crucial for Fulham’s chances of winning the EFL Cup for the first time.

On the Other hand, for Liverpool, Diogo Jota has effectively filled the void left by Mohamed Salah, showcasing his prowess with a brace against Bournemouth in a recent match. With seven goals to his name, Jota is the second-leading scorer in the team, bringing attacking flair and defensive eagerness to his game.

Eager to make an impact in the EFL Cup, Jota’s overall contribution makes him a key player for Liverpool in this crucial fixture.

Also Read: Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Carabao Cup SF Leg 2: Preview and Prediction

Team News

Fulham:

Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi will be unavailable for Fulham in the upcoming match, as both are away with Nigeria for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Adama Traore remains sidelined due to an extended thigh injury, with no appearances in any competition since November 12th.

Raul Jimenez, with five Premier League goals this season, is expected to lead Fulham’s attack at Craven Cottage.

Timothy Castagne rested in the previous game against Chelsea, may return as the right-back for Fulham.

Liverpool:

Mohamed Salah is ruled out due to a hamstring injury sustained while on international duty with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Injuries continue to affect Liverpool, with Andy Robertson, Konstantinos Tsimikas, Joel Matip, and Dominik Szoboszlai all unavailable for selection.

Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota, both coming off a brace in the recent match against Bournemouth, are set to spearhead Liverpool’s attacking efforts.

Caoimhin Kelleher might replace Alisson in goal for Liverpool at Craven Cottage.

Predicted Lineup

Fulham Predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Leno; Tete, Adarabioyo,Ream, Robinson; Palhinha, Cairney; Wilson, Pereira, Willian; Jimenez

Liverpool Predicted lineup (4-3-3):

Alisson; Bradley, Konate,Van Dijk, Gomez; Elliott, Mac Allister,Jones; Diaz,Jota, Nunez

Head to Head

In recent years, Liverpool have asserted dominance in head-to-head matchups against Fulham, experiencing only one defeat in their last 12 encounters. The lone loss occurred at Anfield, and one must look back to 2011 for Fulham’s most recent triumph over Liverpool at Craven Cottage.

Let’s have a look at the last 5 clashes between Fulham and Liverpool

• March 7, 2021: Liverpool vs. Fulham in the Premier League resulted in a 0-1 victory for Fulham.
• August 6, 2022: Fulham hosted Liverpool in the Premier League, and the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
• May 3, 2023: Liverpool faced Fulham at Anfield in the Premier League, with Fulham securing a 1-0 victory.
• December 3, 2023: Liverpool hosted Fulham in the Premier League, and Liverpool won in a high-scoring affair with a 4-3 scoreline.
• January 10, 2024: Liverpool and Fulham clashed in the League Cup, with Liverpool emerging victorious with a 2-1 score.

Prediction

Liverpool sits in a favourable position to secure a spot in the EFL Cup final on Wednesday night and will be eager to complete the task at Fulham. With an impressive track record, winning their last five matches with an aggregate score of 14-3, Jurgen Klopp’s side holds a significant advantage. Additionally, Liverpool has historically performed well against Fulham, losing just once in their last 12 encounters dating back to May 2012, including a 2-1 victory in the first leg on January 10th.

Following a commanding 4-0 victory over Bournemouth, Liverpool enters this upcoming match in stellar form. Jurgen Klopp’s squad is riding high on confidence and holds a significant advantage in reaching the final, providing them with an opportunity to secure their first silverware of the season. The Reds’ recent performance suggests a formidable and in-form team.

However, the Cottagers of Fulham pose a notable threat with their quality in the attacking department. Their ability to change the dynamics of the tie at any given moment demands caution from Liverpool. Despite the Reds’ strong position, they must remain aware of Fulham’s offensive capabilities, recognizing the potential for a shift in the course of the match.

While Fulham has shown promise in recent performances, particularly at home, the prediction leans towards a lively away win for Liverpool. While some may consider Fulham as a value option, the overall quality and form of Liverpool make them the favoured side to progress. A draw is also anticipated, thus we predict the scoreline being Fulham 1-1 Liverpool.

Betting Tips

• Tip 1: Game to have expected goals – 2.5+
• Tip 2: Fulham to score first – yes
• Tip 3 Both Teams to score.

Odds

• The highest odds on Liverpool are currently 10/13 by SBK
• The highest odds on the Draw are currently 3/1 by Bet 365
• The highest odds on Fulham are currently 10/3 by Bet 365.

Also Read: Tottenham vs Man City: Preview, Prediction and Odds

Fulham vs Liverpool Where to Watch

• India: Fancode
• UK: Sky Sports
• US: Peacock Premium
• Nigeria – Supersport Africa