Liverpool welcome Chelsea to Anfield for a blockbuster Carabao Cup fourth-round encounter on Wednesday night.
The two Premier League giants have produced several closely contested cup matches in recent years, including the 2022 and 2024 Carabao Cup finals. With both managers expected to rotate their squads, another unpredictable encounter could be on the cards.
Bangbet predicts the match will finish level after 90 minutes before Liverpool use their strong penalty-shootout record and Anfield advantage to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Liverpool vs Chelsea Match Details
| Match detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | Carabao Cup fourth round |
| Fixture | Liverpool vs Chelsea |
| Date | Wednesday, 28 October 2026 |
| Kick-off | 20:00 pm |
| Venue | Anfield |
| Bangbet prediction | Draw; Liverpool to win on penalties |
| Predicted 90-minute score | Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea |
The match kicks off at 8:00 PM in the United Kingdom and 11:00 PM in East Africa.
Liverpool Building Momentum at Anfield
Liverpool enter the match in excellent form after winning four consecutive games across all competitions.
Andoni Iraola’s side followed victories over LASK, Brentford and Villarreal with a 2-0 Premier League win against Brighton. The Reds have scored 14 goals during that four-game winning run, underlining their attacking quality.
Liverpool reached the Carabao Cup fourth round by beating Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 at Anfield. Iraola rotated his squad in that match, but the players selected maintained the team’s intensity and attacking style.
The Liverpool head coach has confirmed that he will make further changes against Chelsea because of the congested schedule. However, he has also stressed that the Reds are determined to progress.
Home advantage could be crucial. Liverpool have already beaten Chelsea in four previous penalty shootouts—the most shootout meetings they have had against any opponent.
Chelsea Seeking an Immediate Response
Chelsea travel to Anfield looking to recover from a disappointing 2-0 Premier League defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge.
The result highlighted the inconsistency that has affected Xabi Alonso’s side this season. Before losing to Spurs, Chelsea had recorded impressive victories over Bournemouth and Everton, scoring seven goals without reply across the two matches.
The Blues have won six of their 10 competitive fixtures this season, scoring 25 goals and conceding 18. Their attacking talent makes them dangerous, but defensive vulnerability remains a concern.
Chelsea reached this round by beating Leeds United 6-3 in an entertaining third-round encounter. That result demonstrated both their attacking potential and the defensive risks associated with their expansive approach.
A victory at Anfield would restore confidence and strengthen Alonso’s position. However, the Blues must overcome a Liverpool side that has won four consecutive matches and is growing in confidence.
Liverpool vs Chelsea Carabao Cup History
Liverpool and Chelsea have developed a memorable rivalry in the Carabao Cup.
The clubs contested the 2022 final at Wembley, which finished goalless after extra time. Liverpool eventually won an extraordinary shootout 11-10 after every Reds player converted his penalty.
Liverpool also defeated Chelsea in the 2024 final, with Virgil van Dijk scoring the decisive goal.
The Reds have faced Chelsea in four penalty shootouts across all competitions and won every one. That history supports Bangbet’s prediction that Liverpool could advance if Wednesday’s match is level after 90 minutes.
Chelsea’s last victory at Anfield came in March 2021, further strengthening Liverpool’s position as favourites to qualify.
Liverpool Team News
Iraola is expected to rotate his starting line-up with a major Premier League match against Arsenal approaching.
Florian Wirtz could be available despite twisting his ankle during Liverpool’s victory over Brighton. The Reds’ head coach said he was optimistic about the midfielder’s availability.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Muñoz are less likely to be ready. Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitiké, Jeremie Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni also remain unavailable.
Giorgi Mamardashvili is expected to replace Alisson in goal. Joe Gomez, Trey Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha, James McConnell, Cody Gakpo and Lewis Koumas could also receive starting opportunities.
Liverpool Possible Line-up
Mamardashvili; Araujo, Jacquet, Gomez, Kerkez; Nyoni, Mac Allister; Ngumoha, McConnell, Gakpo; Koumas.
Chelsea Team News
Chelsea will be without João Pedro after the forward suffered a thigh injury in training. He is expected to remain sidelined for several weeks after recording five goals and three assists in his opening seven matches.
Emmanuel Emegha has recovered from a hamstring problem and could make his Chelsea debut at Anfield.
Cole Palmer is suspended following his red card against Tottenham. Reece James and Emiliano Martínez are also unavailable, while Jamie Gittens faces a late fitness assessment.
Mike Penders could start in goal, with Malo Gusto, Roméo Lavia, Estêvão Willian, Morgan Rogers and Danny Welbeck among the players competing for places.
Chelsea Possible Line-up
Penders; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Palestra; Caicedo, Lavia, Barco; Estêvão, Welbeck, Rogers.
Liverpool vs Chelsea Tactical Analysis
Liverpool will attempt to use Anfield’s energy to press Chelsea high up the pitch and force mistakes during the visitors’ build-up.
The Reds have shown considerable attacking strength in recent matches. Players such as Gakpo and Ngumoha can stretch Chelsea’s defence, while Alexis Mac Allister provides control and creativity from midfield.
Chelsea are also dangerous in transition. Estêvão and Rogers possess the pace and technical ability to attack the spaces Liverpool may leave behind their full-backs.
Squad rotation could make both defensive units less organised. Liverpool and Chelsea may therefore find it easier to create chances than to prevent them, supporting the prediction of goals at both ends.
Does Liverpool vs Chelsea Go to Extra Time?
There is no extra time in this round of the Carabao Cup. If the match is level after 90 minutes, it will proceed directly to a penalty shootout.
A standard match-result bet will be settled using the score after 90 minutes. Bettors backing Liverpool to progress should therefore select the “Liverpool to qualify” market, which includes penalties.
Liverpool vs Chelsea Betting Tips
Draw After 90 Minutes
Liverpool possess better recent form, but Chelsea have enough individual quality to make the game competitive. Heavy rotation by both managers could produce an unpredictable encounter that finishes level.
Liverpool to Qualify
Liverpool have won all four of their previous penalty shootouts against Chelsea. Their excellent record from the spot and the Anfield atmosphere make them the stronger qualification pick.
Both Teams to Score
Both clubs possess exciting attacking options, while their rotated defences could struggle to maintain control. Chelsea’s 6-3 victory over Leeds and Liverpool’s recent 4-3 win against Villarreal illustrate their potential for high-scoring matches.
Over 2.5 Total Goals
Liverpool have scored 14 goals across their previous four games. Chelsea have also shown that they can both score and concede multiple goals in cup matches.
Correct Score: Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea
Bangbet expects both teams to create several chances and finish level after 90 minutes. Liverpool are then backed to hold their nerve in the shootout.
Bangbet Liverpool vs Chelsea Prediction
Liverpool enter this match with better form and home advantage, but Iraola’s expected changes could prevent the Reds from dominating.
Chelsea will miss several important players, including Palmer and João Pedro, but Alonso still has enough attacking talent to trouble a rotated Liverpool defence.
The teams have a history of delivering close cup encounters, and another penalty shootout would not be a surprise. Liverpool’s perfect shootout record against Chelsea gives the hosts the edge if the match remains level.
Bangbet prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea after 90 minutes; Liverpool to win on penalties.
Best betting picks:
- Draw after 90 minutes
- Liverpool to qualify
- Both teams to score
- Over 2.5 total goals
- Correct score: 2-2
Bet responsibly. Odds, injuries and starting line-ups may change before kick-off.
