In The Mixer: EFL Cup outright tips and predictions from our experts
Sports Journalist at FST, Gareth qualified as a journalist after graduating from university and spent over a decade as a freelance broadcast journalist, commentator and tipster before joining FST. Now living in Manchester, he is a long suffering Bolton Wanderers fan who also enjoys boxing, the NBA, tennis and rugby league.
In The Mixer is FST’s weekly column where we catch up with our team of football betting experts and get their opinion on the hot topic of the week.
The last 16 of the EFL Cup takes place this week so we asked our team of experts who they think will go all the way this year.
James Mason
Brentford boss Keith Andrews is already proving himself to be an astute replacement for Thomas Frank and having enjoyed a solid start to the Premier League season, his side can put their focus on a deep cup run.
The Bees, who have already picked up league victories over Aston Villa, Manchester United and Liverpool, look to have a strong chance of at least reaching the League Cup quarter-finals after drawing Grimsby Town in round four.
As long as Brentford avoid any serious injuries to key players, then this could turn out to be their time to land their first major piece of silverware.
Jamie Griffith
Given they are favourites for the Premier League title and are by far and away the best team in England right now, it is a surprise to see Arsenal are a bigger price than both Liverpool and Manchester City.
The Reds look way off it and City are inconsistent. The Gunners, meanwhile, have excelled on all fronts and have immense depth after a fantastic transfer window.
A last-16 clash with Brighton would be tricky for most teams but Arsenal look a cut above the rest and should progress with minimal fuss.
Aidan Perkins
Manchester City’s recent form suggests they are getting very close to their previous best and with their obvious strength in depth, Pep Guardiola’s men can go all the way in the League Cup this season.
The eight-time winners, who last lifted the trophy in 2021, have what should be a routine away trip to Swansea to get through in the last 16 and they will not fear anyone in the latter rounds, especially if Guardiola opts to field stronger sides the closer a trip back to Wembley starts to come into view.
Tom McGarry
Chelsea have proven themselves as a team that can win trophies under Enzo Maresca, following up last season’s Conference League success with victory in the Club World Cup over the summer, and they could add the EFL Cup to that list.
The Blues last lifted the trophy in 2015 but they have reached three finals since then, most recently in 2024, and they have been handed a relatively kind fourth round draw away to a Wolves side whose priorities will surely lie elsewhere.
Win at Molineux and the Blues will be just two games away from Wembley and they cannot be ruled out from lifting the trophy for the sixth time in their history.
Aaron Rogan
Liverpool’s current form makes their last 16 opponents Crystal Palace interesting at 16/1. However, the Eagles’ final Conference League game takes place in the same week as the EFL Cup quarter-finals, so there’s a risk that their tie isn’t moved and they’re forced to play a weakened side.
This round’s ties have the potential to really open things up for Arsenal, who have the squad depth needed to go all the way. Liverpool’s form, City’s reliance on Haaland, and Chelsea’s inconsistency make the Gunners the standout above the rest.
Ian Wilkerson
It is a common perception that teams on the edge of the battle for Champions League spots have a great chance of winning the EFL Cup, but while Newcastle triumphed last year, it doesn’t often work out that way.
The Magpies were only the third winners from outside what is regarded as the Big Six in the last 21 years, despite assumptions that the top teams can take it or leave it.
Class tends to tell eventually and Arsenal look a big price. They have proved to be the most consistent team in the opening months of the Premier League season and their Champions League performances have demonstrated they can battle with the best on multiple fronts.
The fact they also haven’t won the trophy since 1993 could also provide key extra desire that may be lacking elsewhere.
Rob Eddy
Newcastle United look an attractive price to retain the trophy despite a relatively slow start to the season, particularly with doubts about the market leaders.
The Magpies might just be starting to come to the boil having enjoyed big wins over Union Saint-Gilloise and Benfica in the Champions League, and proved their pedigree by beating Arsenal home and away in the semi-finals and Liverpool in the final of this competition last season.
Admittedly that was with Alexander Isak but Nick Woltemade has made fast start to life at Newcastle, who have won five of the last six against fourth-round opponents Tottenham, and might just be more than a handful for any opponent.
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