The first leg of the English League Cup semi-final between Tottenham and Liverpool will take place on January 8 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Tottenham vs. Liverpool: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Stuart Attwell (England)
Matches – 10 (Premier League, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 38;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.8;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 20;
Penalties – 10%.
Predicted lineups for Tottenham vs. Liverpool
Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Fraser Forster – Djed Spence, Radu Dragusin, Archie Gray, Pedro Porro – Yves Bissouma, Pape Sarr – Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Son Heung-min – Dominic Solanke.
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Caoimhin Kelleher – Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarell Quansah, Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo – Tyler Morton, Trey Nyoni – Harvey Elliott, Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo – Darwin Nunez.
Each team’s starting lineup from their last match in this tournament is listed.
Tottenham
The Londoners have progressed past all their opponents in this season’s English League Cup by a single-goal margin. The club began with an away victory over Coventry City (2-1), followed by two home matches against Manchester teams. Ange Postecoglou's side first defeated Manchester City (2-1) and then overcame Manchester United (4-3). The last time Tottenham reached the final of the tournament was in 2021, where they lost 0-1 to Manchester City.
- No more than three goals have been scored in regular time in 8 of the last 9 games of the Londoners in the English League Cup.
- In their last 8 home matches in this tournament, Tottenham has lost only once in 90 minutes (5 wins and 2 draws).
- The first half ended in a draw in 6 of the last 8 home matches in this cup, with two wins.
Liverpool
Arne Slot's team faced only Premier League representatives on their way to the semi-final and defeated all in regular time. The club first thrashed West Ham at home (5-1), then won away against Brighton (3-2) and Southampton (2-1). In the last three editions, Liverpool has won this tournament twice, both times defeating Chelsea in the final.
- Both teams scored in regular time in 9 of Liverpool's last 10 matches in the English League Cup.
- The club has not lost in 90 minutes in nine consecutive matches in this tournament (7 wins and 2 draws).
- Liverpool has scored at least two goals in regular time in 8 of the last 10 games in this cup.
Tottenham vs. Liverpool: Match Prediction
The management of the London club is dissatisfied with the team's results in the Premier League, so the head coach is tasked with reaching the final of the English League Cup. For Ange Postecoglou, the first match is very important, as if his team loses even at home, it is unlikely they will overcome Liverpool in the return leg at Anfield. Also, winning the English League Cup is important for the entire team, as it is unlikely that Tottenham will reach the Champions League zone in the Premier League, so winning this tournament will compensate for a disappointing season.
I believe that the Londoners are capable of at least not losing at home, or the defeat will be minimal. In this cup, they have not lost at home by more than one goal in regular time for 20 years. Liverpool has not won convincingly in five consecutive away matches in the English League Cup. Additionally, Tottenham has only lost to Liverpool by more than one goal at home in the Premier League twice in the last 10 meetings.
My prediction – Tottenham with a handicap (+1)
