Just eight teams are left standing in the EFL Cup this season in England, and the ties to determine the sides that will be making it through to the semi-final stage will be decided on Tuesday and Wednesday. But, which teams will be able to make it through to the last four and have a chance of winning the first piece of silverware on offer in England in the 2021-22 season?
Arsenal vs Sunderland
The EFL Cup action gets underway on Tuesday evening, as Sunderland face a daunting challenge against Premier League side Arsenal. Sunderland have done extremely well to reach this stage of the competition, and have knocked out three teams from the Championship so far this term. In the last round they needed a penalty shootout to see off Queen Park Rangers at Loftus Road.
Arsenal have eased through the competition to this point, as they have scored eleven goals without conceding in the three previous games that they have played. They beat Premier League opposition for the first time in the competition in the previous round, as they claimed a 2-0 win over Leeds United. They have been fortunate with this draw, and it’s hard to see anything other than a win for the hosts.
Pick: Arsenal @ 1/6 with BetXchange.
Brentford vs Chelsea
It has been far from an easy passage through to this stage for Chelsea, as they have needed penalty shootouts in each of the last two rounds. They saw off Aston Villa in the third round, before edging over the line against Southampton in the previous round. This will be the first Blues game in the competition this season that they have played away from home, as Thomas Tuchel looks to win a third trophy of his Chelsea career.
Brentford have scored 12 goals in the three games that they have played in the EFL Cup so far, and this will be the first game that they come up against Premier League opposition. They needed to be at their best in their last fixture, as they edged over the line to a 2-1 victory against Stoke City. This could be the fixture where the shock comes, but we will predict a draw after 90 minutes.
Pick: Draw @ 28/10 with BetXchange.
Liverpool vs Leicester City
Leicester will be looking for another domestic success this season, having won the FA Cup under Brendan Rodgers last season. The Foxes have seamlessly made it through to this stage of the competition, having seen off Millwall and Brighton in the previous two rounds. Penalties were needed for the Foxes in the fourth round, but Rodgers may go with a stronger line-up at Anfield for this fixture.
Liverpool haven’t broken a sweat in the competition so far this season, as Jurgen Klopp looks for a first success in the EFL Cup. Changes are likely to be made once again by the German for this cup fixture, with huge games coming up in the Premier League. The Reds have previously saw off Norwich and Preston this season. Leicester are likely to go stronger, so we fancy their chances.
Pick: Leicester City @ 4/1 with BetXchange.
Tottenham Hotspur vs West Ham United
West Ham have had the hardest run through the EFL Cup so far this season, as they have needed to see off both Manchester clubs. The Hammers beat United 1-0 at Old Trafford in the third round, before getting past the current holders, City in the fourth round after a penalty shootout.
Spurs also needed a penalty shootout to reach this round, as they needed spot kicks to get past Wolves in the third round. It was slightly more straightforward for them in the previous round, as they beat Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor. Antonio Conte will be targeting a trophy this season, and the EFL Cup could be his best chance. We expect Spurs to progress.
