In The Mixer: Experts highlight 14/1 and 9/1 Carabao Cup final bets

In The Mixer is FST’s weekly column where we catch up with eight experts in football betting and get their opinions on the hot topic of the week.

With the first major piece of domestic silverware set to be decided in just over a month, we asked our team of experts for their early thoughts on the Carabao Cup final ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool’s Wembley showdown on February 27.

The Stamford Bridge side’s underdog status has tempted a few of our experts, while others have found a few ways to get a bit more value out of backing Jurgen Klopp’s favourites.

Chelsea worth the risk at odds against?

Tom Hill

Sports journalist at ICS

Liverpool are worthy favourites based on their current form, but they look a little short to lift the EFL Cup at 4/6. The Reds will have both Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane back for February’s showpiece, but Thomas Tuchel has already proven his class in finals for Chelsea. The reigning European champions are 21/10 to win the final in 90 minutes, and they have avoided defeat in their last three games against Liverpool under Tuchel.

The last two meetings have ended level, so Chelsea to win in extra-time at 14/1 catches the eye, while a shootout win for the Blues is available at 9/1.

Alex Wrigley

Sports editor and journalist at FST

Liverpool are 4/6 favourites to lift the trophy but I see it as a much closer tie than the odds suggest and at these prices I’ll be backing the Blues.

Chelsea are the last side outside of Manchester to win the League Cup and with Thomas Tuchel at the helm I fancy them to take the trophy back to London. Tuchel hasn’t lost any of his three meetings with Liverpool since taking charge at Stamford Bridge and has already shown his cup-final pedigree with that excellent Champions League win last season. I expect a close tie but Chelsea to win it at odds-against looks to hold some value.

Joe Casey

Sports journalist at Racing Post

Thomas Tuchel has proved time and again how good a coach he can be in one off games, as proven by the fact he has reached the final of every cup competition his side have been a part of since taking over as Chelsea boss.

With their strongest XIs out I would give Liverpool the edge but I wonder whether Jurgen Klopp takes this competition as seriously as he should, particularly given the Reds have the Champions League and a potential title race back on. Given all of that, I think Chelsea may just edge it.

Liam Flin

Sports journalist at Racing Post

Chelsea’s issue this season has been killing off teams they are expected to beat but they tend to rise to the occasion against stronger opponents under Thomas Tuchel and the EFL Cup final may rank higher on their list of priorities than that of Liverpool’s.

They managed their two-legged semi-final with Tottenham well and of course defied expectations to beat Manchester City in the final of last season’s Champions League.

They held Jurgen Klopp’s men to stalemates in both of their Premier League encounters this season and I would be reluctant to rush into backing the Reds to lift the trophy at a shade of odds-on.

9/1 and 3/1 options for Liverpool backers

Aidan Perkins

Sports journalist at ICS

Jurgen Klopp has been criticised in the past for not taking the domestic cups seriously but the celebrations at the end of Liverpool’s semi-final victory over Arsenal showed they are desperate to land the League Cup for the first time since 2012.

The Reds are favourites but there has been little to choose between them and Chelsea in their two Premier League games this season, with both matches finishing all-square. With silverware at stake, Klopp and Thomas Tuchel are likely to field very strong teams, although Klopp has already confirmed second-choice keeper Caoimhin Kelleher will start in goal. The final could be every bit as tight as their recent meetings. A draw at 90 minutes again appeals at around 23/10 with Liverpool to win on penalties at 9/1 offering even more value.

Gareth Freeman

Sports journalist at FST

Right now I’d back Liverpool to win the trophy but the 4/6 on offer for that to happen isn’t particularly appealing, and Chelsea’s 11/10 ‘underdog’ price doesn’t really tempt me either.

The 13/10 on Jurgen Klopp’s men to win the match in 90 minutes is one option but one market that has caught my eye – at a price that could potentially get shorter depending on their respective results over the next month or so – is the 3/1 available for over 3.5 goals. These two teams played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in the league not too long ago and although finals can be cagey affairs we may see both sides go for it in this one as this is a competition neither manager has won.

Ian Wilkerson

Sports journalist at Racing Post

With Manchester City cruising towards the Premier League title, there could be quite an intense game at Wembley as Liverpool and Chelsea have clearly got to fight for the scraps this season.

A hotly contested final appears in prospect but I just fancy Liverpool to get the job done. Chelsea have not been showing the defensive resolve that was such a characteristic of the early days under Thomas Tuchel and the Reds should be able to worm their way through.

Jurgen Klopp’s side should be a lot stronger with the return of Mo Salah and Sadio Mane and that should give them the edge in what could be a high-scoring game.

Henry Hardwicke

Sports journalist at Racing Post

Liverpool deserve to be favourites and they are a class apart from Chelsea in my view. Jurgen Klopp will have Mo Salah and Sadio Mane back from the AFCON and they will be able to link up with the superb Diogo Jota.

Chelsea have some talented performers, but they haven’t yet been able to get the likes of Mason Mount, Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic playing well at the same time and there are issues with striker Romelu Lukaku. Liverpool saw off a spirited Arsenal side with ease in the semi-final and I don’t expect them to make any mistake against the Blues at Wembley.