Liverpool look poised to continue their impressive run of form under new manager Arne Slot as they host a struggling West Ham United side in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening. The Reds are coming off a dominant 3-0 victory over Bournemouth, while the Hammers’ poor form continued with a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea over the weekend. With Liverpool playing at home and boasting a deeper, more in-form squad, Jambobet predicts that the Reds are the clear favorites to win this fixture, with a high possibility of a GG (both teams to score) and over 2.5 goals.
Recent Form: Liverpool on the Rise, West Ham Struggling
Liverpool has been on a strong upward trajectory since Arne Slot took charge, and their recent performances have been a testament to their growing confidence. Aside from a surprising 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, the Reds have impressed across all competitions. A 3-1 win against seven-time European champions Milan in the Champions League and a comfortable 3-0 victory over Bournemouth in the Premier League have shown their attacking prowess. With key players like Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo, and Federico Chiesa in excellent form, they will be looking to build on this momentum.
In contrast, West Ham has struggled under manager Julen Lopetegui. After a promising start to the season, their form has dipped significantly, culminating in a disappointing 3-0 loss to Chelsea at the weekend. Defensively, the Hammers have looked shaky, conceding seven goals in their last three matches, while their attack has struggled to make an impact, with only one goal scored in their last two Premier League outings.
Head-to-Head: Liverpool’s Dominance Over West Ham
Liverpool’s recent head-to-head record against West Ham makes them heavy favorites for this Carabao Cup tie. In their last five meetings, Liverpool has won four, with one match ending in a draw. The most recent encounter between these two sides was a 2-2 draw in the Premier League, but Liverpool’s 5-1 demolition of West Ham in last season’s Carabao Cup serves as a reminder of their dominance in this fixture.
West Ham has historically struggled at Anfield, with their last win at Liverpool’s home ground coming back in August 2015. Given their current form, it seems unlikely that the Hammers will reverse this trend.
Jambobet Prediction: Liverpool to Win, GG, and Over 2.5 Goals
Match Winner Prediction:
Jambobet’s prediction for this match is a comfortable victory for Liverpool. The Reds are in superior form, playing at home, and have a significantly stronger squad. With the depth and talent at Arne Slot’s disposal, the reds is expected to come out on top.
GG Prediction (Both Teams to Score):
While Liverpool’s attack is firing on all cylinders, West Ham’s defense has been vulnerable in recent weeks. However, Jambobet predicts that West Ham could still get on the scoresheet, despite their struggles. The presence of players like Jarrod Bowen, who has scored in his last three appearances against Liverpool, gives West Ham a fighting chance of netting at least once. As such, GG (both teams to score) is a likely outcome.
Over 2.5 Goals Prediction:
With both sides capable of scoring, Jambobet predicts that this game will see over 2.5 goals. Liverpool has consistently scored two or more goals in nearly all of their matches under Arne Slot, and West Ham’s defensive issues are likely to be exposed by Liverpool’s high-pressing, fast-paced attack. Over 2.5 goals is a safe bet for this fixture.
Key Players to Watch
Liverpool: Federico Chiesa
One of the most exciting potential changes in Liverpool’s lineup for this game is the possibility of Federico Chiesa making his first start. The Italian winger, known for his explosive pace and ability to cut inside, could cause serious problems for West Ham’s defense. If he starts, expect Chiesa to be heavily involved in the reds attacking play, providing width and creativity down the flanks.
West Ham: Jarrod Bowen
West Ham’s standout performer in recent clashes with Liverpool has been Jarrod Bowen, who has scored in three consecutive games against the Reds. With West Ham likely to adopt a counter-attacking strategy, Bowen’s pace and ability to finish could be their best chance of getting on the scoresheet. Bowen will need to be at his best if West Ham hopes to challenge Liverpool at Anfield.
Predicted Lineups
Liverpool Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Endo, Jones; Chiesa, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Jota.
Caoimhin Kelleher will likely continue in goal, with Federico Chiesa and Cody Gakpo expected to be introduced into the starting lineup as part of Arne Slot’s rotation strategy.
West Ham Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Fabianski; Coufal, Todibo, Kilman, Cresswell; Soucek, Soler; Bowen, Kudus, Summerville; Antonio.
With Niclas Fullkrug out, Michail Antonio or Danny Ings could lead the line for West Ham, while Carlos Soler and Tomas Soucek may be called in to strengthen the midfield after their weekend struggles.
@ChelseaFC & @ManCity safely through!#EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/rjd2uYwh07
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) September 24, 2024
Liverpool’s Home Advantage and Depth
One of the key factors in this match is the home advantage. Anfield is a fortress for the Reds, and playing in front of their passionate supporters gives them an extra edge. Arne Slot’s squad depth is another significant advantage. Even with some rotation, Liverpool can call upon experienced players like Diogo Jota, Curtis Jones, and Kostas Tsimikas to complement their young talents.
On the other hand, West Ham has struggled to find consistency and balance in their squad. The absence of Niclas Fullkrug and their leaky defense could leave them exposed to the reds relentless attacking play. Unless they tighten up defensively and find a way to contain the reds creative threats, West Ham could be facing another heavy defeat.
Liverpool to Cruise to Victory
Jambobet’s predictions suggest that Liverpool will dominate this Carabao Cup clash, with a comfortable win on the cards. West Ham’s recent defensive frailties, combined with the reds attacking firepower, point to a high-scoring match, likely featuring over 2.5 goals and both teams finding the net. However, with home advantage and a deeper squad, Liverpool is expected to come out on top and advance to the next round of the competition.
