⚽ FOOTBALL: Carabao Cup On Final Sunday 25th February 2024: Chelsea vs Liverpool

[JollyGood]

Everton manager Dyche will face his old team Burnley in the next round. To be honest he deserves credit because he did a very good job while he was managing there for on a shoestring budget. I think Everton should win that game, the home advantage will be urging them on.

Mansfield Town vs Port Vale is the one to watch because of the spirit of the game. The winning team will go on to make a lot of money from television rights and the smaller clubs deserve more financial help.

have to pick my own Everton to win it
after seven matches drawn as away in Carabao cup, Everton has a good chance to progress further against Burnley at home
two wins in away matches in a row, against Premier league rivals (not in Premier league, dough) after several years, and it seems that Everton found some form, with DCL back on the pitch

[nelson4lov]

SEASON 2023/24
~Snipped
Which team do you think will win the tournament? Manchester United are the current champions but Liverpool, Chelsea, West Ham and Arsenal are still in the competition.

Let's see if Newscastle and West ham can do well to eliminate both Manchester United and Arsenal. I have no problem if Newcastle eliminates another Manchester team (bonus for Liverpool). Given the current teams still left, I won't say it would be anneasy one for Liverpool. Any of these teams (including Chelsea) can still pull an upset against Liverpool.

For the records, Chelsea is the only thing that have drawn Liverpool this season and yet, their performances have been exponentially terrible than any of the "big 4" or "big 6" teams.

[JollyGood]

Let's see if Newscastle and West ham can do well to eliminate both Manchester United and Arsenal. I have no problem if Newcastle eliminates another Manchester team (bonus for Liverpool). Given the current teams still left, I won't say it would be anneasy one for Liverpool. Any of these teams (including Chelsea) can still pull an upset against Liverpool.

Bournemouth vs Liverpool
Chelsea vs Blackburn Rovers
Everton vs Burnley
Exeter City vs Middlesbrough
Ipswich Town vs Fulham
Manchester United vs Newcastle United
Mansfield Town vs Port Vale
West Ham United vs Arsenal

I think there will be some cup upsets along the way. What are the odds Bournemouth will beat Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers will defeat Chelsea and West Ham United will defeat Arsenal? What about the Manchester United vs Newcastle United game, that will be another good game to watch as it is featuring the finalists of the 2023 Carabao Cup. I expect Manchester United to win that game and I expect West Ham United to beat Arsenal too.

[snipie]

Let's see if Newscastle and West ham can do well to eliminate both Manchester United and and Arsenal. I have no problem if Newcastle eliminates another Manchester team...

Arsenal managed to get a victory from Brentford, well that was expected but when I see Manchester City leaving soon when facing Newcastle United that was quite surprising, especially that Newcastle isn't that solid as last season.
Everton kicking Aston Villa was the other unexpected result.

Bournemouth vs Liverpool
Chelsea vs Blackburn Rovers
Everton vs Burnley
Exeter City vs Middlesbrough
Ipswich Town vs Fulham
Manchester United vs Newcastle United
Mansfield Town vs Port Vale
West Ham United vs Arsenal

Liverpool
Chelsea
Everton
Fulham
Manchester United - Newcastle, I will go with Newcastle for obvious reasons
West Ham - Arsenal, I will go with gunners
The other 2 matches are random for me.

[nelson4lov]

~Snipped

I think there will be some cup upsets along the way. What are the odds Bournemouth will beat Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers will defeat Chelsea and West Ham United will defeat Arsenal? What about the Manchester United vs Newcastle United game, that will be another good game to watch as it is featuring the finalists of the 2023 Carabao Cup. I expect Manchester United to win that game and I expect West Ham United to beat Arsenal too.

Bournemouth to beat Liverpool? Nah, I doubt that Bournemouth have what it takes to beat the current Liverpool team given the number of quality (both attack, midfield and defence) that Klopp has at his disposal to deploy. Even Liverpool's B team is looking strong. But I can't say the same for Chelsea or Man Utd. Arsenal might hold their own against West ham but I expect West ham to give them a run for their money (the EFL is like West ham's one of their very few title prospects so they'd want to take it seriously).

TLDR: Liverpool upset vs Bournemouth? Not likely but this is football. Chelsea likely, man utd likely, Arsenal very likely.

[JollyGood]

Bournemouth to beat Liverpool? Nah, I doubt that Bournemouth have what it takes to beat the current Liverpool team given the number of quality (both attack, midfield and defence) that Klopp has at his disposal to deploy. Even Liverpool's B team is looking strong.

It is a knockout competition, a cup competition therefore anything can happen. I hardly ever get surprised nowadays when a smaller team knocks out a bigger team because the so-called magic of the cup is not limited to the FA Cup. Sure, on paper it seems as though Bournemouth have no chance but I would not write them off.

But I can't say the same for Chelsea or Man Utd. Arsenal might hold their own against West ham but I expect West ham to give them a run for their money (the EFL is like West ham's one of their very few title prospects so they'd want to take it seriously).

TLDR: Liverpool upset vs Bournemouth? Not likely but this is football. Chelsea likely, man utd likely, Arsenal very likely.

I also expect West Ham to go at Arsenal without fear because they really have developed in a good team. Moyes has allowed that mentality to become to big they won the Europa Conference League 2023 therefore are a team going place. I do not think Rice was worth £105 million but Arsenal paid it. West Ham enough money in hand now to buy suitable players that can take them towards a top 7/8 finish in the Premier League as well as a possible domestic cup final.

[snipie]

Two games were played yesterday where Port Vale and Middlesbrough qualified. Lucky EPL opponent that they will face in the next phase.
Today's matches are more interesting especially West Ham - Arsenal and Manchester United - Newcastle. I find Arsenal favourite since they didn't lose any of their games from quite long period. In the other match, both Newcastle and Manchester United aren't well but ManU is performing bad lately. I am not fully confident to support Newcastle, it is just that ManU is playing randomly that make me feel they are the underdog here.
For the remaining matches, Liverpool, Chelsea, Fulham should pass and for the Burnley and Everton, I think Everton might get lucky here.

[un_rank]

Arsenal surprisingly are fielding a strong squad for tonight's fixture, what is more surprising is that majority of the players did not feature in the EPL weekend match, showing that they are building some strong squad depth with their recent acquisitions. Arteta will need to manage the squad well to keep the players happy and also introduce the new players into the team at a decent time.

Liverpool made more rotations cause they are playing a weaker team and have a better chance to win.

I predict the expected teams to win tonight, including Chelsea and Newcastle.

- Jay -

[Juggy777]

Arsenal surprisingly are fielding a strong squad for tonight's fixture, what is more surprising is that majority of the players did not feature in the EPL weekend match, showing that they are building some strong squad depth with their recent acquisitions. Arteta will need to manage the squad well to keep the players happy and also introduce the new players into the team at a decent time.

Liverpool made more rotations cause they are playing a weaker team and have a better chance to win.

I predict the expected teams to win tonight, including Chelsea and Newcastle.

- Jay -

@un_rank despite the changes Arsenal lost and your predictions about Chelsea and Newcastle came true as both the teams manage to win their respective game’s. Furthermore now Ten Hag is only few games away from being sacked because every match shows zero progress, zero idea’s and his egoistic desire to stick with his favourites and thus he won’t be able to hold on to his position for long now.

[Sebas.tian]

Two games were played yesterday where Port Vale and Middlesbrough qualified. Lucky EPL opponent that they will face in the next phase.
Today's matches are more interesting especially West Ham - Arsenal and Manchester United - Newcastle. I find Arsenal favourite since they didn't lose any of their games from quite long period. In the other match, both Newcastle and Manchester United aren't well but ManU is performing bad lately. I am not fully confident to support Newcastle, it is just that ManU is playing randomly that make me feel they are the underdog here.
For the remaining matches, Liverpool, Chelsea, Fulham should pass and for the Burnley and Everton, I think Everton might get lucky here.

It was a beautiful victory to West Ham to scored three goals to defeated Arsenal, and to make many people lose their prediction from the match because they thought Arsenal can use the same power they use to achieve victory from premier league competition in this EFL league. West Ham really prove to their fans how strong they are in this season by achieving three goals for the strong team which is an evidence that they have improve through the help of their manager who is trying to give his best to the team in this season. Chelsea did a great job to defeated their opponent 2-0 for the favour of Chelsea, because they took a good lead in the first half 1-0 that gave them the opportunity to achieved the second goal in the second half to embraced the victory from Blackburn rovers.

[JollyGood]

These were the results from the games played yesterday:

West Ham United 3-1 Arsenal  
Bournemouth 1-2 Liverpool  
Chelsea 2-0 Blackburn Rovers  
Everton 3 0 Burnley  
Ipswich Town 1-3 Fulham  
Manchester United 0-3 Newcastle United
 
Chelsea won the game but their form is inconstant, maybe Pochettino will get the balance right in the coming games and they will go on a winning run. Congratulations to West Ham United after the beat Arsenal 3-1 in a game that was set up for Arsenal to win with a very strong squad.

Also, Newcastle United have been playing excellent football, they dominated the game when the beat defending Carabao Cup champions Manchester United.

Isn’t it time for Ten Hag to face the reality that Manchester United overachieved last season by finishing 4th place in the Premier League and by winning the Carabao Cup? He has lost the trust of the players and his tactics are simply not good enough.

 

[snipie]

The Quarter-final games will start soon with three matches that will be played today and one tomorrow.
First match is between Everton and Fulham in Goodison Park which is the advantage that Everton have. Additionally they have a good record in their latest games at the opposite of the beginning, yet I find Fulham a little bit better at the opposite of bookies where Everton are favourite in this match with 1.8 vs 3.8 for Fulham.
In the second match we have two random teams and it appears that Middlesbrough will win this game. Then there is the best match where Newcastle will face Chelsea in Stamford Bridge. I know that both teams are lagging in English Premier League but the odds difference is quite big with Chelsea @1.7 and Newcastle @4.3. Even though Chelsea is the host, Newcastle aren't that weak!
The last game will be played tomorrow with Liverpool favourite at home against West Ham United thought.

[casperBGD]

Onana penalty was a greatest miss that I saw recently
he had a chance to secure passing through for Everton and his shot was more a pass to keeper than a shot

Fulham was up in first half, although Everton was a bit better, but late goal by Beto equalized score, and game ended as draw, so penalties were taken
one miss for Fulham, and Onana had all in his foot, but didn't use it, and Everton falled out after 8 penalty series

Chelsea passed against Newcastle on penalties, and will meet Middlesbrough
Liverpool is playing tonight with West Ham

[JollyGood]

There is one game taking place this evening Wednesday 20th December

Liverpool vs West Ham United

The way West Ham United have been playing there is more than a slim chance that they could manage an upset at Anfield but the way Liverpool are playing it seems difficult. For West Ham to win, they would have to be playing at their best while Liverpool would have to make a series of disastrous errors. It could in a hard fought 2-1 home win.

[snipie]

There is one game taking place this evening Wednesday 20th December

Liverpool vs West Ham United

The way West Ham United have been playing there is more than a slim chance that they could manage an upset at Anfield but the way Liverpool are playing it seems difficult. For West Ham to win, they would have to be playing at their best while Liverpool would have to make a series of disastrous errors. It could in a hard fought 2-1 home win.

Liverpool 1 - 0 West Ham United in the first half.
West Ham United didn't impress at all in this first half, basically no control of the ball, no serious attempts to not say no attempts at all. They are already one goal down against Liverpool which was dominating in this first half.
Liverpool are better, winning most of the time against West Ham United and today it seems that the result will not be different. I don't know if West Ham United will play seriously in the second half but their best chance might be to pick a goal to get the draw and drive Liverpool to play with them penalties, then everyone will try their luck.

[emrecemsan]

The semi finals draw is just as in the image above.

I already see a Liverpool v Chelsea finale in the EFL Cup to tell the truth. Liverpool won this cup in the 2021/2022 season however the last time for Chelsea was in the 2014/2015 season. It would be more valuable for Chelsea if they put an end to this break. Apart from that Chelsea would really make use of a title in a difficult season like this. But I don't know if they can beat Liverpool. I wouldn't expect Klopp to rotate the lineup for a finale like that in the end. 

[JollyGood]

I don't know if West Ham United will play seriously in the second half but their best chance might be to pick a goal to get the draw and drive Liverpool to play with them penalties, then everyone will try their luck.

If that was the plan it failed because West Ham could not get a goal as they were beaten by 1-0 by Liverpool therefore these are the semi-final fixtures:

Tuesday 9th January: Middlesbrough vs Chelsea
Wednesday 10th January: Liverpool vs Fulham

On paper, you would presume Chelsea and Liverpool will play the final but Middlesbrough and Fulham are not there to make up numbers, they also believe they can get to the final. Well done to all four teams for getting this far.

Apart from that Chelsea would really make use of a title in a difficult season like this. But I don't know if they can beat Liverpool. I wouldn't expect Klopp to rotate the lineup for a finale like that in the end.  

If Chelsea won a trophy in the first season Pochettino became manager, it will give them a massive boost for next season. Liverpool are playing excellent this season therefore if these two teams made it to the final it will be a good game to watch.

[snipie]

The first leg of EFL Cup semifinal games will start tomorrow with Chelsea facing away Middlesbrough and a day after Liverpool will host Fulham.
I think most people will go with Chelsea and Liverpool victory for sure.
Middlesbrough didn't win any of their games against Chelsea and Liverpool last defeat against Fulham was almost three years ago.

Apart from that Chelsea would really make use of a title in a difficult season like this. But I don't know if they can beat Liverpool. I wouldn't expect Klopp to rotate the lineup for a finale like that in the end.  

If Chelsea won a trophy in the first season Pochettino became manager, it will give them a massive boost for next season. Liverpool are playing excellent this season therefore if these two teams made it to the final it will be a good game to watch.

I believe the final game will be played between Chelsea and Liverpool but honestly it will be a surprise to see Chelsea winning unless Liverpool suffered from many injuries and red cards!
Chelsea barely standing still in English Premier League

[JollyGood]

I did not post an update with the semi-final result from yesterday or a reminder for the game being played today. Chelsea had a difficult match travelling away for the first leg of a semi-final fixture but they should have won, they had many chances to score yet Middlesbrough managed a 1-0 win:

Tuesday 9th January: Middlesbrough 1-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 10th January: Liverpool vs Fulham

I will update the thread after game ends today. Fulham are currently winning the game 0-1 after Willian gave them the lead with a 19th minute goal.

[JollyGood]

These are the semi-final games second leg fixtures:

Tuesday 23rd January
Chelsea vs Middlesbrough
Agg: 0-1

Wednesday 24th January
Fulham vs Liverpool
Agg: 1-2

Even though Middlesbrough managed that memorable win in the first leg, I think most would expect Chelsea to win the game on the night by a couple of goals and go through to the final.

As for Liverpool, they came back from a goal down to win at Anfield but I am expecting Fulham to cause an upset here and win the game. If they win 1-0 the away goals will not count therefore extra-time will be played and Liverpool should have enough energy in their players to get them to the final.