Tottenham hosts league leaders Liverpool in the opening leg of the Carabao Cup semifinals with the hopes that a victory could propel them up the Premier League standings.
After five straight losses, Ange Postecoglou’s team is now in 12th place in the league, but they are still in the running for their first trophy since 2008 thanks to the Carabao Cup.
In this sense, Spurs have a difficult assignment ahead of them as they take on a squad that is not only leading the Premier League table but also the Champions League rankings.
Despite a frustrating setback last time out when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Manchester United, the Reds have been absolutely terrific overall and seem to be cruising to the league title while still being competitive on other fronts.
Tottenham vs. Liverpool prediction, odds
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Moneyline lean:
Liverpool (-160 on BetMGM) -
Score prediction:
Tottenham 1-3 Liverpool
Liverpool won 6-3 behind four different scores in one of the season’s most bizarre and absurd games when these two clubs last faced off, almost a month ago.
That match offers many important lessons, even if it resides in its own small realm. First and foremost, Ange Postecoglou just won’t play any other way than his preferred method of purposeful mayhem.
Sadly for him, Spurs lack the healthy midfield and defensive personnel needed to make this strategy effective.
Rather, it provides the opposition with a lot of chances during the break, and Liverpool is among the best in the world at taking advantage of these chances.
They should have enough talent to force Spurs to pay early in this two-game series, even if Mohamed Salah is rested.
|
BetMGM (USA) |
|
|
Tottenham win |
+360 |
|
Draw |
+360 |
|
Liverpool win |
-160 |
|
Both teams to score |
Y: -275 N: +195 |
|
Over / Under 3.5 goals |
O: -145 U: +100 |
|
Liverpool -0.5 goals |
-185 |
|
Tottenham +0.5 goals |
+125 |
Tottenham vs. Liverpool match facts
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Date:
Wednesday, January 8, 2025 -
Kickoff Time:
8 p.m. local (3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT) -
Location:
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London, England) -
Referee:
John Brooks -
Last meeting:
Tottenham 3-6 Liverpool (Dec. 22, 2024 | Premier League)
Tottenham vs. Liverpool best bet
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Pick:
Liverpool over 2.5 total goals -
Odds:
+105 (BetMGM)
Mohamed Salah, 32, has put himself in the running for both the Premier League MVP and Ballon d’Or prizes; if Arne Slot rests him, Liverpool will be without him.
But, considering the way these teams play, it shouldn’t really matter if he sees the field.
This season, Tottenham has given up more huge opportunities than any other Premier League team, and opponents are converting them at a rate of 41%, which is also the fifth-highest in the league.
Spurs have given up 46 significant opportunities since the start of November, which is second only to Southampton, who are in danger of relegation.
It’s hard to see the Spurs’ injured backline altering the outcome against the merciless Premier League leaders, even if Salah takes a break.
It’s worth a try at about even money even though the odds for this pick have been totally negated by the betting market.
Tottenham vs. Liverpool prop bet
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Pick:
Liverpool over 19+ total shots -
Odds:
-105 on FanDuel
When Liverpool last played Spurs, they scored an amazing 5.63 xG on 24 shots. Seven of those shots came from Salah, who also assisted teammates on three more.
Liverpool’s wealth of attacking potential should maintain these standards even in his absence.
Newcastle had 14 attempts with only 43% possession, Nottingham Forest had 10 shots with only 30% possession, and Tottenham recently gave up 20 shots to Manchester United in a tumultuous game.
Due to injuries, Tottenham is without goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, Destiny Udogie, Ben Davies, Cristian Romero, and Micky van de Ven.
One or both of Tottenham’s starting center-backs in this game may be young players or repurposed midfielders due to the ailments of Radu Dragusin and Archie Gray.
Given that this is a two-leg encounter, Liverpool will be encouraged to keep scoring in the hopes of making the second leg a formality, even if a significant early advantage would typically compel the Reds to shut down shop before reaching this barrier.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.