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EFL Cup Final Preview: Chelsea v Liverpool


On Sunday, Chelsea and Liverpool will square off at Wembley, and the first domestic prize of the season will be up for grabs – the EFL Cup.

Perhaps the EFL Cup may not feature too highly on their list of priorities, but a domestic cup success should never be sniffed at, and it has all the ingredients to be a classic. Of course, there has been some history between the two Premier League powerhouses down the years, and it’s not their first time either side have been involved in a League Cup final.

Anyway, we have decided to do a lot of the legwork for you, and we have selected three tempting markets for you to explore ahead of the showpiece occasion.

Romelu Lukaku to silence critics

It’s fair to say that Romelu Lukaku has gone through the motions in recent weeks, and his meagre seven touches against Crystal Palace was an unenviable Premier League record for least touches in a game, and one of those was from kick-off!

The Belgian striker has netted just twice in 2022, and both of those goals came in the Club World Cup where the Blues emerged triumphant. You always need your big-name players, and while Kai Havertz auditioned as the west London outfit’s potential new No.9 well against Lille in the Champions League in midweek, but Lukaku could get the nod this weekend.

And Lukaku, you imagine, will be desperate to silence his critics. He is at 2/1 to score anytime with bet365, and that price could be rather tempting.

Virgil van Dijk the head boy

Virgil van Dijk is always a threat from set pieces, and in the Reds’ thumping 6-0 win against Leeds in the Premier League in midweek, he rounded off the scoring in injury time with a powerful header.

The Dutchman has a good leap on him, and his strength makes him a tricky customer. Defenders are fast becoming more dangerous in both boxes, and if you fancy this special, there is an odds boost. Originally, William Hill was offering 8/1 for this to happen, but they have raised it to 10/1 if you are exploring a cheeky punt.

Chelsea to deliver another trophy for Thomas Tuchel

It’s fair to say that Thomas Tuchel has done a fantastic job at Stamford Bridge. Although the Blues’ title challenge faded this term, he has already delivered two trophies in the form of the Champions League and the Club World Cup.

Tuchel’s opposite number, Jurgen Klopp, is also no stranger to success, and he has transformed Liverpool in a way that few of his predecessors managed to do so. The League Cup final will be a tightly contested affair, but Chelsea, who beat Liverpool in extra-time in the final in 2005, could edge this one too. Paddy Power has installed Liverpool as favourites at 8/13, but Chelsea are 6/5 to win the final, which may persuade you to part with your cash.