Carabao Cup: Tottenham vs Liverpool 1/2

As the Carabao Cup heats up, four giants are battling for a place at Wembley. On Tuesday, Newcastle edged ahead in their semi-final against Arsenal. Gabriel Martinelli, Jurrien Timber, and William Saliba all came close for the Gunners, but Newcastle’s clinical finishing proved the difference. Alexander Isak bagged his 14th goal in 15 games and set up Anthony Gordon for a late strike to seal a 2-0 victory in the capital. Newcastle now have one foot in the final.

Spurs Seek a Much-Needed Revival

While Newcastle emerges as the favorite for one final spot, Liverpool is tipped to claim the other. Just over two weeks ago, Liverpool thrashed Spurs 6-3 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a result that flattered the hosts.

Tottenham’s season has been marred by inconsistency. They’ve managed only one win in their last eight home games, a narrow escape against Manchester United. Another disappointment came last weekend with a 1-2 loss to Newcastle, leaving fans frustrated with manager Ange Postecoglou. Tonight’s result may not see them eliminated, but a poor showing could be the final straw for “Big Ange.”

Liverpool’s Record and Determination

Liverpool heads into the semi-final with an enviable record, having lost just one of their last 19 Carabao Cup games (12 wins, 6 draws). However, they too stumbled over the weekend, drawing 2-2 with an underperforming Manchester United, squandering a chance to extend their lead at the top.

The Reds boast a remarkable semi-final record in this competition, advancing from seven of their last nine attempts. They aim for back-to-back finals, a feat last achieved in the 1980s. However, Spurs also have a proud Carabao Cup history, having never lost the first leg of a semi-final at home (five wins, two draws). In their head-to-head Carabao Cup clashes, Spurs have progressed four times out of seven, though Liverpool won their last encounter in 2016.

Team News: Full-Strength Lineups Expected

With Wembley within reach, both teams are set to field their strongest lineups.

• Tottenham: Rodrigo Bentancur returns from suspension, while Son Heung-min and James Maddison are expected to start after being rested against Newcastle. Spurs could also debut goalkeeper Antonín Kinský, signed recently from Slavia Prague. Defensive issues persist, but Radu Dragusin might return from illness.
• Liverpool: Dominik Szoboszlai is likely to recover from illness, with Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konaté fit again after featuring against United. Cody Gakpo is in red-hot form, having scored eight goals and registered one assist in his last nine Carabao Cup games.

Betting Tips, Carabao Cup

Tottenham vs Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Wednesday, 9:00 PM GMT
Odds (Betsson): 4.50 – 4.75 – 1.65

Liverpool dominated their last trip to Spurs and are favorites once again. While odds of 1.62 for an away win might be too slim, betting on over 3.5 goals (1.67) could provide better value in what promises to be another high-scoring affair.
Today's bet: Over 3,5 goals at odds 1,78 (4 units, Betsson)

Second legs are scheduled for February 5-6, with the final set for March 16 at Wembley.

The Tipster