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Southampton v Liverpool
Kick Off: Wednesday 18th December at 20:00
Competition: EFL Cup
Watch Live: Sky Sports
The EFL Cup is starting to heat up as the final 8 teams battle it out this week for a place in the semifinals. A dejected Southampton faced a miserable 5-0 defeat last time out at St Marys resulting in the departure of head coach Russel Martin, and they face up against a Liverpool side who had their steam train halted at the weekend in an exciting 2-2 draw with Fulham.
Our experts have combed through the markets for this key matchup and put together their favourite selections for the clash at St Marys.
Southampton v Liverpool Best Bets
The odds heavily favor Liverpool, but they may still underestimate just how dominant Liverpool are right now. Arguably the best team in the world this season, Liverpool sit comfortably at the top of both the Premier League and the Champions League, with only one loss across all competitions.
While Liverpool are unlikely to field their first-choice lineup for this match, their depth has proven more than sufficient in this competition. In earlier rounds, Liverpool’s second team convincingly dispatched Premier League opponents, West Ham and Brighton, with the victory against West Ham being particularly emphatic.
On the other hand, Southampton have been the Premier League’s weakest team this season. With just 5 points, they average only 0.69 goals scored per game while conceding a staggering 2.25. Even with their best lineup, Southampton seems highly unlikely to trouble Liverpool.
This match strongly leans in Liverpool’s favour, making them a solid pick to win.
Southampton v Liverpool Predicted XI
Southampton v Liverpool Players to Watch
Flynn Downes
Flynn Downes has been Southampton’s most frequent fouler this season, averaging 2.15 fouls per game and accumulating six yellow cards along the way. As a highly active presence in the midfield, he’s also fouled 1.62 times per game himself.
In this match, Downes will likely face a Liverpool midfield skilled at drawing fouls. Players like Ryan Gravenberch, who is fouled 1.86 times per game, and Curtis Jones, with an average of 1.09 fouls drawn per game, will test his discipline. With such tendencies and the challenge of Liverpool’s dynamic midfield, Downes committing at least two fouls seems a solid bet.
Caoimhin Kelleher
With Alisson’s early-season injury, Caoimhin Kelleher has risen to the challenge as Liverpool’s stand-in goalkeeper. The Irish international has made a strong impression, keeping 3 clean sheets in 8 league appearances while averaging 3 saves per game. His performances have demonstrated both composure and shot-stopping ability, proving he can handle the pressure in big games.
In the Premier League fixture against Southampton earlier this season, Kelleher recorded 2 saves as Southampton managed 5 shots on target. This level of activity could easily be repeated in this match, particularly as Liverpool are expected to rotate their squad. A second-string lineup often introduces some defensive vulnerabilities, which might allow Southampton to test Kelleher more frequently.
Given his consistent save numbers and the dynamics of this matchup, backing Kelleher to make at least 2 saves feels like a safe bet, while the odds for 3 saves offer significant value for those willing to take on slightly more risk.
Southampton v Liverpool Cheat Sheet
Andy’s Bet Club is the best place for Football Betting Predictions and the EFL Cup is no different.
We also have coverage for the other brackets for the EFL Cup with our Newcastle v Brentford Bet Builder Tips as well as Southampton v Liverpool Betting Predictions and Arsenal v Crystal Palace Bet Builder Tips.
Look out for our World Darts Championship Tips this winter with our Day 4 World Darts Championship Accumulator available now.
Southampton v Liverpool Form and Tactics
Liverpool have been phenomenal this season, setting the standard in both the Premier League and the Champions League. Currently unbeaten in 18 matches, they’ve shown remarkable consistency despite a few recent draws. Their high-intensity pressing game continues to unsettle opponents, often dictating matches from the outset.
Against Manchester City, Liverpool’s dominance was particularly evident, restricting City to just five touches in their final third during the opening 25 minutes and limiting their passing accuracy to 82%. With such impressive form, Liverpool look poised to maintain their momentum as serious contenders on all fronts.
On the other hand, Southampton find themselves in a dire situation at the bottom of the Premier League table. With just 5 points from 16 games, their season has been marred by poor performances and a failure to secure a win in their last five matches. Conceding first has become a troubling pattern, further compounding their struggles. As a result, manager Russell Martin was recently sacked, leaving the Saints without a clear direction as they search for a replacement. It will be fascinating to see how Southampton adapt in their next match and whether they stick to Martin’s tactics or attempt a fresh approach.
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Southampton v Liverpool Ref Watch
- Referee: Simon Hooper
- This season he has given out 59 yellow cards in 12 games at a rate of 4.92 a game.
- He has given out 2 red cards this year and is yet to referee an EFL Cup game this season.
Football Predictions at Andy’s Bet Club
Our guide on How To Use a Cheat Sheet is the perfect way to get involved with our Bet Builder Stats tool, the best freely available data source for punting on the Premier League.
We recommend the Best Betting Sites for Accumulators, Top Bet Builder Sites, and the best Premier League Free Bets, and Weekly Free Bet Clubs, all to ensure you bet smarter when backing our tips with the Best UK Sports Betting Sites.
Expert guides, such as this one, on xG in Football, are also available to help you up your punting game.
* I recommend waiting for confirmed team line-ups before placing any bets.
* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing.
Written by an Andy verified content writer
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