Liverpool
Chelsea
Liverpool vs Chelsea Predictions, Picks & Odds – 28/10/2026
Liverpool vs Chelsea – Best bets of the match
Liverpool vs Chelsea Preview
Liverpool arrive at this Carabao Cup knockout tie in robust form, having won four of their last five matches. Their most recent outing, a 2-1 victory over Brentford, came at a cost: Dominik Szoboszlai reaggravated a hamstring injury and faces a prolonged absence. Iraola will likely rotate his squad given the congested fixture list, with youngsters Lewis Koumas and Trey Nyoni expected to feature prominently at Anfield.
Chelsea travel to Merseyside on the back of a solid run themselves, claiming three wins from their last five outings. Their 2-0 defeat of Everton was overshadowed by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez suffering a fractured jaw requiring surgery. Reserve keeper Mike Penders steps in, having already made his Premier League debut following that incident. Xabi Alonso also faces doubts over Malo Gusto and Pep Chavarria, adding further selection headaches for this quarter-final push.
Liverpool's recent run of four wins from five outings gives them a clear edge at Anfield, where the atmosphere alone can unsettle visiting sides. Chelsea have been solid too, winning three of their last five, but the loss of Emiliano Martinez to a fractured jaw is significant. Reserve keeper Mike Penders steps in for a high-pressure knockout tie, and that transition could prove costly.
The double chance selection covering a home win or draw looks well supported at 2.55. Dominik Szoboszlai's absence weakens Liverpool's midfield creativity, yet the presence of Mac Allister and Wirtz in Iraola's 4-2-3-1 system provides enough quality to control proceedings. Chelsea also face doubts over Malo Gusto and Pep Chavarria, further thinning their options for a demanding away fixture.
Squad rotation feels inevitable for both clubs given congested schedules, which could produce a tighter contest than a standard Premier League meeting. Young talents like Lewis Koumas and Trey Nyoni may feature for Liverpool, adding unpredictability. The historical weight of this rivalry in the EFL Cup, with Liverpool winning the 2022 and 2024 finals against Chelsea, tilts the psychological balance towards the hosts.
Trends to Know about Liverpool vs Chelsea
- Liverpool won four of five recently
- Chelsea missing first-choice goalkeeper Martinez
- Anfield hosts favour home side strongly
Form & Statistics: Liverpool vs Chelsea
Liverpool
Recent form
Season statistics (5)
Chelsea
Recent form
Season statistics (5)
Lineups: Liverpool vs Chelsea
Liverpool
Starters
- 1 Alisson
- 2 Araujo
- 3 Jacquet
- 4 Van Dijk
- 5 Kerkez
- 6 Gravenberch
- 7 Mac Allister
- 8 Ngumoha
- 9 Wirtz
- 10 Gakpo
- 11 Isak
Absent
- Wataru Endo (suspended)
- Dominik Szoboszlai (injury)
- Jeremie Frimpong (injury)
- Federico Chiesa (suspended)
- Hugo Ekitiké (injury)
- Victor Muñoz (Injury.)
- Conor Bradley (Injury.)
- Giovanni Leoni (Injury.)
Chelsea
Starters
- 1 Penders
- 2 Disasi
- 3 Silva
- 4 Colwill
- 5 Chilwell
- 6 Caicedo
- 7 Fernandez
- 8 Palmer
- 9 Sterling
- 10 Neto
- 11 Mudryk
Absent
- Jamie Gittens (injury)
- Emiliano Martínez (injury)
- Reece James (injury)
- Roméo Lavia (suspended)
- Emmanuel Emegha (Known unavailability (injury).)
Low confidence
A 4-2-3-1 versus 4-3-3 shape sets up an intriguing midfield contest at Anfield, with Florian Wirtz operating in the number ten role for Liverpool and Moisés Caicedo anchoring Chelsea's engine room. Liverpool's probable XI carries reasonable confidence, sourced from multiple outlets ahead of this Carabao Cup last-16 tie.
Chelsea's formation, however, is speculated rather than confirmed, pieced together from recent match patterns and injury updates rather than any firm team news. Treat the Blues' shape as a working hypothesis for now, with the actual selection likely to become clearer closer to the 20:00 IST kickoff.
Liverpool vs Chelsea: Head-to-Head
Average statistics (recent meetings)
How to Watch Liverpool vs Chelsea Match?
What time is Liverpool vs Chelsea?
Liverpool vs Chelsea kicks off at Anfield on 28 October 2026 at 20:00 local time.
Where is Liverpool vs Chelsea being played?
This Carabao Cup round of 16 clash will be played at Anfield, Liverpool's iconic home ground.
How Can I Watch Liverpool vs Chelsea on TV and Live Stream?
Check local listings for Carabao Cup broadcast details, as coverage varies by region across India and internationally.
>