Tottenham v Liverpool: Preview and Betting Tips | EFL Cup 2025

Match: Tottenham v Liverpool
When: Wednesday, 8 Jan 2025, 22:00 SAST
Where: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Spurs have not won a trophy since 2008 and have won just two of their last 11 matches. The Reds have lost just once in 28 matches this season in all competitions.

Tottenham Form

Spurs are in poor form right now. They had a run of ten wins in 14 matches concluded with a 4-0 win away at Man City. Things have gone pear-shaped since then with two victories in 11 matches. A five-match winless run saw three draws and defeats to Bournemouth and Chelsea. A 5- win at Southampton and a 4-3 home win over Man Utd proved a false dawn.

Their last four matches have seen three losses as defensive injuries have cost them results. A 6-3 home loss to Liverpool saw them trailing 5-1 after an hour. A 1-0 loss at Nottingham Forest and a 2-2 home draw with Wolves followed as they leaked a late equaliser. On Saturday, they were deservedly beaten 2-1 at home by Newcastle.

Tottenham Team News

Spurs have almost a dozen injury woes for this match. Pape Sarr and James Maddison are suspended but Rodrigo Bentancur is back from a ban. Fraser Forster and Radu Dragusin should shake off illness to play. Richarlison and Wilson Odobert are injured in the attacking areas.

The big problems are at the back. Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero are out and so is goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. Destiny Udogie and Ben Davies will also play no part. Archie Gray will continue at centre back and one of Djed Spence or Sergio Reguilon will play at left back.

Tottenham Motivation

Tottenham are desperate for a trophy and know this is perhaps their best route to one. They will give this match their full focus and are expected to play their best available XI.

Ange Postecoglou has not changed his open, attacking style of play at all despite a plethora of injuries. He is not going to do anything different here.

Liverpool Form

The Reds are enjoying an incredible season and they’re currently on a run of no losses in 24 fixtures. However, after a run of eight straight wins – including 2-0 home victories over Real Madrid and Man City – they have dropped points in three of their last six EPL fixtures. A 3-3 draw at Newcastle saw a late goal leaked.

In their next league outing, they could only draw 2-2 at home with Fulham. Four straight wins followed, starting with a 2-1 win at Southampton in the League Cup and a 6-3 mauling of Tottenham where they led 5-1 after 61 minutes. A 3-1 home win over Leicester preceded a 5-0 win at West Ham. On Sunday, a lead was blown to draw 2-2 at home with struggling Man Utd.

Liverpool Team News

Joe Gomez is ruled out for this match due to injury. Ibrahima Konate is back to cover the void at centre back. Dominik Szoboszlai is struggling with illness and couldn’t train on Monday so he could be a substitute at best here.

Arne Slot has heavily rotated his side in this competition. He could go with a stronger XI here with just a few tweaks. Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Conor Bradley are most likely to be handed starts.

Liverpool Motivation

The Reds will play a pragmatic game in terms of knowing how much space Spurs will leave on the break. Liverpool are likely to exploit those gaps as they did a few weeks back in a 6-3 win.

Arne Slot will be eager to lift his first trophy and will want a strong first leg lead from this match.

Key Stats

Tottenham have won just 2 of their last 11 matches

Tottenham have lost 3 of their last 4 matches

Spurs’ Dejan Kulusevski has scored 5 goals in his last 8 matches

Liverpool are unbeaten in 24 matches (20 wins, 4 draws)

Liverpool have scored 16 goals in their last 4 matches

Liverpool have won 4 of their last 5 matches vs Tottenham (18 goals scored)

Verdict

All roads point to a big Liverpool win here. Spurs’ defensive injuries are costly and they could lose by at least a two-goal margin.

Best Bet: Liverpool win at 1.62
Value Bet: Liverpool win (-1 goal handicap) at 2.45
Goalscorer Tip: Kulusevski to score anytime at 4.40 or Salah to score first/last at 2.75