Liverpool vs Tottenham Prediction: Betting Tips & Odds

Liverpool and Tottenham meet at Anfield on Wednesday morning New Zealand time in the third round of the Carabao Cup, with both sides coming off goalless results at the weekend.

In this Liverpool vs Tottenham preview, I look at form, team news and a goals angle that I think pays good value. I’ve got a price north of $2.00 for those keen on football expert tips this week.

Liverpool

I’m not panicking about Liverpool’s recent 0-0 with Fulham. Iraola rotated and it felt like a game he was happy to take a point from with the Champions League opener three days earlier. Their 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid told me more about where this squad is at - Szoboszlai and Mac Allister pulled the strings, and Barcola looked like a player settling in quickly.

Three stalemates in four league games isn’t ideal, but Liverpool haven’t lost a competitive match under Iraola yet, and their home form in cup competition has been reliable for years. Szoboszlai has been their best player so far - two goals in five games, including the equaliser against Atletico - and I wouldn’t be surprised if Iraola keeps him in for this one even with rotation elsewhere.

I expect heavy changes given Bournemouth away follows on Saturday. The depth is there, and fringe players will want to impress.

Team News: Chiesa, Leoni, Bradley and Ekitike are long-term absentees. Gakpo is a doubt with an adductor issue but came off the bench against Fulham. Gomez is back in training.

Predicted Lineup: Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Araujo, Jacquet, Kerkez; Gravenberch, McConnell; Ngumoha, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Munoz.

Tottenham

Tottenham have scored zero goals in four Premier League games. I don’t care how you frame it - for a side that spent close to 400 million in the summer, that is grim.

De Zerbi’s side created next to nothing against Everton on Saturday. They had 62 per cent possession and generated 0.64 xG. Everton, with 18 outfield players and no money to spend, were the better side after half-time. Some would say the boos at full-time were well-deserved.

And yet the cup was different. Five in a 5-1 win over Charlton in round two, with Moore, Solanke and Savio all scoring. I can see Spurs approaching this game with intent - Anfield might be hostile, but a decent cup run could give this group some much-needed confidence. 

Tonali has been one of their better performers in the middle of the park despite everything around him. Maddison returned to training before the Everton game and could be involved here, which would at least give them a creative outlet they’ve badly missed.

Team News: Kulusevski, Xavi Simons and Odobert are long-term absentees. Maddison is pushing for a return. Mudryk is a doubt.

Predicted Lineup: Dubravka; Porro, Romero, Van Hecke, Udogie; Gallagher, Bergvall; Savio, Maddison, Moore; Solanke.

• Liverpool have won three of their last five against Tottenham, losing only the Carabao Cup semi-first leg in January 2025.
• Liverpool beat Spurs 4-0 at Anfield in the 2024-25 EFL Cup semi-final second leg.
• Tottenham have not scored in any of their four Premier League games this season.
• Spurs scored five in their Carabao Cup second-round win over Charlton.
• Both sides have conceded in two of their four league games this season.

I’m backing Liverpool to get through this one. Even with rotation, Iraola’s squad is deep enough to field a side that should have too much for Tottenham’s current confidence levels. And Anfield under the lights for a cup game has a way of delivering goals.

For me, the interesting aspect of this match is goals. Liverpool have been involved in high-scoring games all season - two 2-2 results, a 2-0 away win, a 2-1 CL victory. Spurs put five past Charlton in the cup and I don’t think De Zerbi will park themselves deep here. If there’s any game where they need to find a goal, it’s this one. Both managers will view this as a chance to give attacking players minutes, and I can see an open contest.

There’s a risk Iraola goes very young and it turns into a dull affair. I don’t think that happens at Anfield, so if you’ve got betting promotions available, the best time to get your bets in is now.

Over 3.5 Goals @ $2.30

Both sides need this game for different reasons. Liverpool want rhythm, Spurs want goals.

Liverpool’s season so far paints a clear picture - every game bar the Fulham stalemate has produced three or more goals. Spurs scored five in round two and should attack here with nothing to lose. Cup ties between two Premier League sides tend to open up, especially when both managers rotate, and I don’t see this one being a cagey affair.

At $2.30, I’m comfortable with it on the best betting sites available in New Zealand.