Carabao Cup: Fulham vs Liverpool FA Cup Semifinals betting preview

A spot in the Carabao Cup final is on the line on Wednesday as Fulham plays host to Liverpool in the second leg of the semifinals. The kick-off is scheduled for 3 PM EST at Craven Cottage. The Reds came out victorious in the opening leg 2-1 earlier in the month. A draw would be enough for them to progress to the showpiece, where it will either be Chelsea or Middlesborough as their next opponent. Below, we’ll preview the game and highlight any significant injuries that Fulham or Liverpool are dealing with.

Carabao Cup history

The Carabao Cup, also known as the EFL Cup, is an important competition in the English football system. Manchester United are the reigning champions after winning their sixth title in 2022-23, but Liverpool is the most successful club in tournament history. They’ve lifted the ultimate prize a record nine times. Fulham has never won the Carabao Cup.

Fulham

The Cottagers might not be a side who is typically competing for European spots in the Premier League, but they’ve managed to do relatively well in the Carabao Cup. Fulham knocked off Ipswich Town in the Round of 16 before beating Everton on penalties in the quarterfinals to set up a date with Liverpool, who are currently the best team in the top flight.

Fulham did put up a fight in the opening leg, though. Willian bagged the opener in the first half, but Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo both scored within three minutes of each other to grab a massive victory at Anfield. While the Cottagers were outplayed in terms of possession and opportunities in the final third, they made it close and still have a chance at making the final.

When it comes to Premier League play, Marco Silva’s group is 13th in the table with a 7-3-11 record. Fulham hasn’t played since January 13th, but it ended up being a defeat to Chelsea. In fact, the Cottagers are winless in two straight games. If that becomes three, Fulham will be looking at a semifinal exit in the competition. Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Fode Ballo-Toure are all absent because of their participation in AFCON, but other than that, Fulham has no injury concerns. The hosts are a big underdog at all soccer betting sites.

Liverpool

Liverpool is back in business and still has the opportunity to win a plethora of different trophies this term. After a disappointing 2022-23 campaign that saw them only finish in a Europa spot, the Merseysiders are once again one of the best teams in the world and the current title favorite in the Premier League. Jurgen Klopp’s men are five points clear of Manchester City and Arsenal at the top of the table at the moment.

In the Carabao Cup, Liverpool hammered West Ham 5-1 in the quarterfinals while beating Bournemouth in the last 16. In fact, the Reds also bested the Cherries in EPL action on Sunday by a score of 4-0. Despite being without Mo Salah right now as he continues to compete at AFCON with Egypt, Liverpool was firing on all cylinders up top. Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota both bagged braces. This side has arguably the best attack in the world and they showed why, even though Salah wasn’t on the pitch.

As mentioned, Salah isn’t available but he is Liverpool attending to a thigh injury that happened vs Ghana. He will be hoping to return to Egypt for a possible semifinal, though. Elsewhere, Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thiago, and Joel Matip are all sidelined. Liverpool is a clear -133 favorite at 888sport.