EFL Cup predictions

Manchester City have assembled four straight wins entering this fixture and hold a commanding head-to-head record over Norwich, winning four out of five previous clashes at home. Norwich enter in good form with four wins from five, but their lack of clean sheets and defensive concessions in four of those games leave them vulnerable against higher-tier cup opposition.

Historical encounters between these clubs average 3.7 goals per match, with 80 percent of the ten-game head-to-head sample finishing above the 2.5 goal threshold. Manchester City have produced multiple goals in three of their last four fixtures, while Norwich have scored at least twice in four of their past five matches, creating strong combined attacking evidence for a high-scoring cup tie.

Both teams have displayed consistently high goal returns in recent outings. Manchester United have scored eleven goals in their last three matches, while Brighton have found the net in four of their last five fixtures, including a seven-goal thriller against Chelsea. Furthermore, seventy percent of the last ten meetings between these sides have produced three or more goals, pointing towards another open cup tie.

Aston Villa have turned a corner over their last two fixtures, remaining unbeaten with a 3-2 victory at Club Brugge and a 0-0 draw against Hull City. Coventry have found scoring difficult recently, failing to register a goal in three of their last four matches, including back-to-back 1-0 losses. Backing Aston Villa to avoid defeat covers both the away victory and a level scoreline at full-time.

Sheffield Utd have remained unbeaten across their last three away fixtures, winning twice and drawing once while scoring six goals in that stretch. They have found the net in all five of their most recent matches across all competitions. Although Fleetwood Town are in solid form and unbeaten in five games, Sheffield Utd have shown reliable output on the road. Backing the visitors to win or draw covers both an away victory and a level scoreline at full-time.

Everton have built steady momentum, remaining unbeaten in their last five competitive matches with two wins and three draws. In contrast, Wolves have conceded six goals in their last two away fixtures and are missing several defensive players including Y. Mosquera and K. Trippier. Backing Everton to win or draw covers the most probable match outcomes based on recent form and squad depth.

Liverpool have maintained consistent form, remaining undefeated across their last five matches in all competitions. In contrast, Tottenham have recorded two defeats and a goalless draw in three of their last four outings. With Liverpool boasting four wins and a draw from their last five home meetings against Spurs, backing the hosts to avoid defeat represents the most reliable position.

Arsenal's defensive record has been exceptionally stingy, recording clean sheets in four of their last five fixtures and yielding 1-0 victories in away trips to Napoli and Aston Villa. Furthermore, both previous meetings between these clubs saw Ipswich fail to score, pointing towards a tightly contested cup tie controlled by Arsenal's structure.

Over 2.5 Goals — 72% confidence

Both sides have displayed notable offensive output in this competition, with Brentford scoring six in their previous cup fixture and Reading averaging 2.5 goals per game in the tournament. Additionally, 70 percent of the last ten meetings between these sides produced at least three goals, averaging 3.2 total goals per match.

Brentford or Draw — 77% confidence

Brentford come into this cup tie unbeaten in their last five fixtures across all competitions and dispatched Birmingham 6-1 away in the previous round. They have also dominated recent head-to-head clashes with Reading, winning each of the last four meetings. Covering the away win alongside the draw accounts for Brentford's recent tendency to draw while maintaining strong backing for their quality advantage.

These two calls are about different parts of the match (total goals and double chance), so neither one determines the other. The figure shown is the lower of the two — a combo can never be more likely than its weaker leg.

Both sides have displayed notable offensive output in this competition, with Brentford scoring six in their previous cup fixture and Reading averaging 2.5 goals per game in the tournament. Additionally, 70 percent of the last ten meetings between these sides produced at least three goals, averaging 3.2 total goals per match.

Reading have found the back of the net in each of their last four matches, including eight goals across their last two home fixtures. Brentford have conceded in four of their last five matches in all competitions while missing several defensive options such as N. Collins and S. van den Berg through injury, making goals for both sides probable.

Brentford come into this cup tie unbeaten in their last five fixtures across all competitions and dispatched Birmingham 6-1 away in the previous round. They have also dominated recent head-to-head clashes with Reading, winning each of the last four meetings. Covering the away win alongside the draw accounts for Brentford's recent tendency to draw while maintaining strong backing for their quality advantage.

Liverpool or Draw — 76% confidence

Liverpool have maintained consistent form, remaining undefeated across their last five matches in all competitions. In contrast, Tottenham have recorded two defeats and a goalless draw in three of their last four outings. With Liverpool boasting four wins and a draw from their last five home meetings against Spurs, backing the hosts to avoid defeat represents the most reliable position.

Over 2.5 Goals — 68% confidence

Meetings between Liverpool and Tottenham have historically delivered high goal counts, with eight of their last ten direct encounters producing at least three total goals and an average of 4.4 goals per game across that sample. Liverpool have scored two goals in four of their last five matches, indicating sustained offensive capability.

These two calls are about different parts of the match (double chance and total goals), so neither one determines the other. The figure shown is the lower of the two — a combo can never be more likely than its weaker leg.

Meetings between Liverpool and Tottenham have historically delivered high goal counts, with eight of their last ten direct encounters producing at least three total goals and an average of 4.4 goals per game across that sample. Liverpool have scored two goals in four of their last five matches, indicating sustained offensive capability.

West Ham or Draw — 76% confidence

West Ham come into the fixture carrying strong momentum, remaining undefeated in their last five fixtures with four wins and one draw. Fulham have struggled for consistency, losing three of their last five matches and failing to find the net in consecutive away trips against Sunderland and Liverpool. Backing the hosts to secure either a win or a draw covers the most probable match outcomes based on current form.

Under 3.5 Goals — 71% confidence

Historical meetings between these sides have predominantly been low-scoring affairs, with seven of the last ten head-to-head fixtures finishing with two or fewer total goals. Fulham have kept clean sheets in two of their last four matches but have also experienced scoring droughts on the road, which points toward a contest staying within a four-goal ceiling.

These two calls are about different parts of the match (double chance and total goals), so neither one determines the other. The figure shown is the lower of the two — a combo can never be more likely than its weaker leg.

Historical meetings between these sides have predominantly been low-scoring affairs, with seven of the last ten head-to-head fixtures finishing with two or fewer total goals. Fulham have kept clean sheets in two of their last four matches but have also experienced scoring droughts on the road, which points toward a contest staying within a four-goal ceiling.

West Ham come into the fixture carrying strong momentum, remaining undefeated in their last five fixtures with four wins and one draw. Fulham have struggled for consistency, losing three of their last five matches and failing to find the net in consecutive away trips against Sunderland and Liverpool. Backing the hosts to secure either a win or a draw covers the most probable match outcomes based on current form.

Barnsley or Draw — 74% confidence

Barnsley have established a consistent record against Peterborough, winning five and drawing two of the previous ten head-to-head encounters. Crucially, when playing away at Peterborough, Barnsley are undefeated across their last five visits with four wins and a draw, including victories in both league and cup action. Backing the visitors on the double chance provides strong probability coverage against a host side that has won only once in their last five fixtures in all competitions.

Over 2.5 Goals — 68% confidence

Barnsley matches have consistently generated high goal totals, with each of their last five fixtures exceeding 2.5 goals and producing a total of 21 goals across that span. Peterborough have also demonstrated scoring capability in cup football with six goals in two ties. With both teams conceding regularly in recent weeks, there is strong momentum pointing toward at least three goals being scored.

These two calls are about different parts of the match (double chance and total goals), so neither one determines the other. The figure shown is the lower of the two — a combo can never be more likely than its weaker leg.

Barnsley matches have consistently generated high goal totals, with each of their last five fixtures exceeding 2.5 goals and producing a total of 21 goals across that span. Peterborough have also demonstrated scoring capability in cup football with six goals in two ties. With both teams conceding regularly in recent weeks, there is strong momentum pointing toward at least three goals being scored.