The final three Carabao Cup games take place on Thursday and we've got best bets for all of them including Liverpool v Arsenal.
Recommended bets
1pt Liverpool to beat Arsenal & both teams to score at 5/2
1pt Takumi Minamino to score anytime at 14/5
1pt Aston Villa to beat Stoke to nil at 2/1
1pt Brentford to beat Fulham at 11/8
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Liverpool v Arsenal
- Thursday 19.45pm BST kick-off on Sky Sports
- Match Odds: Home Evens | Draw 11/4 | Away 12/5
We go again! In Liverpool v Arsenal take two the teams on Thursday won't really resemble Monday at all, but there'll be plenty of quality on show, and after all the two sides met in this competition last season and played out a 5-5 blockbuster with their second strings.
Liverpool's last three League Cup ties have seen a whopping 24 goals scored in them, and although Mikel Arteta set his first team up to defend, the second string cup side will be given licence to attack Jurgen Klopp's shuffled pack.
This fixture at Anfield always seems to provide goals - the last nine in all competitions have gone over 3.5 goals, so it seems foolish not to include that on your betting shortlist at 6/4, while adding in both teams to score enhances that price only slightly to 7/4.
For Arsenal, Eddie Nketiah has looked lively and should start along with Nicolas Pepe as the main goal threats with Bukayo Saka also likely to start, while for Liverpool Takumi Minamino was excellent against Lincoln with his two goals while Divock Origi's goal there took him to nine goals in seven League Cup starts.
If Diogo Jota starts though it may mean one of those two, or Xherdan Shaqiri, miss out, which clouds matters a little when looking for goal-scoring options, but Minamino is expected to grow as a Liverpool player and has looked dangerous when given the chance.
Best bet:
Aston Villa v Stoke
- Thursday 1900 BST kick-off
- Match Odds: Home 8/11 | Draw 14/5 | Away 4/1
Dean Smith seems to have found the right formula at Villa with four wins and just one goal conceded, and even when making changes they've been comfortable 3-1 and 3-0 winners at Burton and Bristol City respectively in this competition.
Stoke haven't conceded at all in the Carabao Cup as yet, having two 1-0 wins (including one at Wolves) along with a penalty shoot-out success after a 0-0 draw against Blackpool. Having only scored three goals themselves in six games, Stoke hardly present much of a goal threat though.
So maybe goals will be in short supply here, making 10/11 on under 2.5 goals totally understandable, and still arguably a decent bet given the form of the two sides.
The draw certainly comes into play here, but Villa are looking like they're on a roll and with the new options they have available they should have enough to edge a tight affair here thanks to their new defensive excellence.
Best bet: Aston Villa to beat Stoke to nil at 2/1
Brentford v Fulham
- Thursday 1700 BST kick-off
- Match Odds: Home 11/8 | Draw 9/4 | Away 2/1
Revenge is on the menu for Brentford as they host Fulham for the first time since their neighbours beat them in the Championship play-off final in August.
Life in the Premier League has been tough going early on for Scott Parker and this game offers no real relief as they'll face Thomas Frank's side who will be keen to get one over on them.
Brentford have scored in all but one game this season and Fulham are in all sorts of trouble so it's hard to imagine that any team Parker puts out will be brimming with confidence - that's why they're outsiders here.
If Ivan Toney's name appears on the team sheet then he'd be my first choice for an anytime goalscorer at 9/5 but away from him, and with plenty of changes expected, then a muddling game may struggle to get over the 2.5 goal mark.
There's enough in the price for the hosts to win though to justify just backing Brentford to get the better of their near rivals on this occasion.
Best bet: Brentford to beat Fulham at 11/8
Odds correct as of 1938 BST on 30/9/20
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