Content Editor at Free Super Tips, Alex was born in the shadow of Old Trafford and is an avid Man Utd fan. After graduating from university he combined his love of football, writing and betting to join FST and now closely follows goings-on in all of the top European leagues.
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 Sunday’s Carabao Cup Final between Liverpool and Chelsea taking the spotlight this week, we’ve asked our eight experts for their best Bet Builder for the trip to Wembley.
As you might expect, the answers were a mixed bag but by picking out the most popular choices I’ve pieced together this tasty-looking Bet Builder.
Don’t forget to read all our experts’ opinions, though. There are a couple more selections you might want to think about adding to the mix before kick-off.
Carabao Cup Final Bet Builder
Liverpool to lift the trophy
Four of the seven experts to pick a winner for Sunday’s clash went for Liverpool, so back them for a narrow cup triumph.
Both teams to score
Again, four of our experts decided to delve into the both teams to score market for Sunday and, with another one adding in over 2.5 goals, the consensus is in favour of an entertaining game.
Marcos Alonso & Antonio Rudiger to be carded
Chelsea defenders Marcos Alonso and Antonio Rudiger were both chosen to get on the referee’s bad side by two of our experts, which is quite the achievement considering no other player on either team was singled out.
Alex Wrigley
Sports editor at Free Super Tips
Liverpool may be in spectacular form but for me it’s worth backing underdogs Chelsea to lift the trophy at the odds available. Thomas Tuchel has avoided defeat in all three of his meetings with Jurgen Klopp since joining Chelsea and has shown he has what it takes to mastermind a cup victory.
I certainly won’t be expecting a comfortable margin of victory, though, and with fewer than three goals being scored inside the 90 minutes in each of Chelsea’s last eight competitive games I’m throwing under 2.5 goals into the mix.
Finally, Marcos Alonso looks like a solid shout to get himself into trouble. He is Chelsea’s most booked player in the Premier League this season despite starting just 16 games and he’ll find himself trying to keep pace with Mohamed Salah’s dazzling footwork at Wembley, making him my choice to pick up a booking.
Alex’s Bet Builder – Chelsea to lift the trophy, under 2.5 goals & Marcos Alonso to be booked
Aaron Rogan
Sports journalist at Free Super Tips
Liverpool’s recent form makes them the favourites, but Chelsea have ground out wins in the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup final this term. Thomas Tuchel’s men can go the distance in finals, so I’m backing them to come out on top. However, it may take extra-time, if not penalties, with two of the Blues’ last four games being won 2-1 in extra-time.
Just because I expect this one to drag on towards 7pm doesn’t mean it’ll be short on goals. Both teams scored in both league clashes between the pair this term and Liverpool’s display against Norwich showed how open they can be. Back both teams to score within 90 minutes at Wembley.
Given the scale of the game, punters will steer clear of Lukaku making a big impact for the Blues. However, Hakim Ziyech looks like the man to back in the scoring stakes. He’s scored in three of the Blues’ last four domestic matches and his improved displays have made him Chelsea’s most threatening player going forward.
Aaron’s Bet Builder – Chelsea to lift the trophy, both teams to score, Ziyech to score anytime
Ian Wilkerson
Sports journalist at Racing Post
While Manchester City have been flying in the Premier League, it has been forgotten that Liverpool have won their last eight matches in all competitions and I would fully expect them to lift the League Cup at Chelsea’s expense, particularly as they’ve looked even strong in the last few weeks with Mo Salah and Sadio Mane’s return from the Africa Cup of Nations.
It could take extra-time, so it is worth keeping the draw on side, but I would expect both teams to find the net, so we can add both teams to score into the mix too.
As for a player bet, it is worth taking a chance on Marcos Alonso to be shown a card. The Spaniard can provide an attacking option for Thomas Tuchel and takes a mean free-kick, but he could have plenty to deal with stopping Salah terrorising the Blues down his flank, and Alonso has collected seven yellow cards this season.
Ian’s Bet Builder – Liverpool to lift the trophy, both teams to score & Marcos Alonso to be shown a card
Liam Flin
Sports journalist at Racing Post
Chelsea have been plodding along well but all of their recent victories have been by narrow margins against Plymouth, Al-Hilal, Palmeiras and Crystal Palace.
And although the EFL Cup final could be another low-scoring affair, Liverpool’s superior attacking quality could prove the difference in this contest so they are worth a bet to lift the trophy. Also add in under 2.5 goals, which has copped in each of Chelsea’s last four league contests.
Lastly, complete this ultimate bet builder with Liverpool new boy Luis Diaz to score at any time. The forward struck 14 goals in 18 league games for Porto before departing in January and has made an immediate impact for Jurgen Klopp’s men, netting in the win over Norwich. Diogo Jota is a talented member of the Liverpool squad but Diaz is well-placed to become the third component of the team’s ruthless attacking trifecta.
Liam’s Bet Builder – Liverpool to lift the trophy, under 2.5 goals & Luis Diaz to score anytime
Aaron Ashley
Sports journalist at Racing Post
Chelsea and Liverpool shared the spoils in a four-goal thriller in the Premier League at the beginning of January and the goals could flow again with silverware on the line at Wembley.
There were 13 corners in that battle at Stamford Bridge and the corner count may again reach double figures, while the bet builder should be completed with an Antonio Rudiger booking.
The German was cautioned in the 1-1 draw at Anfield in August and he is Chelsea’s joint-most booked player this season with seven yellows in 35 appearances. Liverpool’s fearsome frontline should give the Blues centre-back plenty of cause for concern.
Aaron’s Bet Builder – Both teams to score, over 9.5 corners & Antonio Rudiger to be booked
James Milton
Sports journalist at Racing Post
These teams played out a pulsating 2-2 Premier League draw at Stamford Bridge on January 2 but both have had punishing schedules since then and Sunday’s Wembley clash could be more cagey.
Chelsea’s attacking players have struggled to make an impact in recent weeks and their last-gasp 1-0 win at Crystal Palace made it eight games in a row with under 2.5 goals in normal time. Add a Liverpool win in 90 minutes to the bet builder, as the Reds’ squad is in great shape and they have looked back to their best in recent weeks.
Sadio Mane has scored three times in his last four appearances against Chelsea, including the opener at Stamford Bridge last month, and the Africa Cup of Nations winner also bagged a brace against the Blues in the European Super Cup in August 2019.
James’s Bet Builder – Under 2.5 goals, Liverpool to win in 90 minutes & Sadio Mane to score anytime
James Mason
Sports journalist at ICS
Chelsea have shown real grit and determination to grind out victories recently and it is that fighting spirit that can see them lift the trophy on Sunday. It’s worth noting Thomas Tuchel hasn’t lost to Jurgen Klopp in three meetings since taking charge of the Blues, winning the first encounter before drawing the next two.
Both sides have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to attacking options and have scored 113 league goals combined this season. Four goals were shared between the two in January, while they also played out a 1-1 draw in August last year, and it would be a surprise if both don’t find the back of the net.
Wrapping up this builder is Liverpool forward Sadio Mane to be booked. Not the most obvious candidate that springs to mind but he has made 33 fouls and been shown two yellow cards in the league, while he was booked when these two met in January.
James’s Bet Builder – Chelsea to lift the trophy, both teams to score & Sadio Mane to be booked
Jack Ogalbe
Sports journalist at ICS
Liverpool and Chelsea’s rivalry has been fascinating since Thomas Tuchel arrived in England, but on current form, the Reds could just have the edge.
Their run of eight straight wins in all competitions shows how strong they are but it is unlikely to be smooth sailing. The duo’s pair of score draws in the Premier League this season shows that neither are infallible at the back, so both teams to score could well come in.
It is also worth exploring the card markets and Antonio Rudiger has to be a contender, with the German’s rugged style often overshadowing the more skilful side of his game.
Rudiger was booked in August’s 1-1 draw at Anfield and received the same sanction for fouling Kevin de Bruyne in last season’s Champions League final. Never afraid to play the pantomime villain, the German is sure to be in the thick of the action at Wembley.
Jack’s Bet Builder – Liverpool to lift the trophy, both teams to score & Antonio Rudiger to be booked
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