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2025-01-08 - Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool

A Sports Betting Pick by Auls

Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool
Football: English League Cup Semi Final First Leg
Wednesday 8th January 2025 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV

Tottenham Hotspur

He is not for changing, but the pressure is intensifying on manager Ange Postecoglou as his Tottenham Hotspur team struggle to progress. There is little doubt that injuries are playing a big part in the issues Tottenham Hotspur are having, but Postecoglou will only quieten the noise around his personal position in charge of the football team by winning a trophy.

We are already getting to a position where the top five spots in the Division are moving away from Tottenham Hotspur, who have a big North London derby next up in the Premier League. That has put pressure on the team to deliver in the Cup competitions and Tottenham Hotspur have beaten Coventry City, Manchester City and Manchester United to earn their spot in the League Cup Semi Final.

Tottenham Hotspur have not followed the win over Manchester United in the League Cup Quarter Final in the way the manager, the board or the supporters would have wanted. The 1-2 home loss to Newcastle United on Saturday means Spurs have not won any of their last 4 fixtures and suffered 3 defeats in that time. Not only have Tottenham Hotspur only won 1 of their last 8 at home in all competitions, but they have been beaten 4 times in that run.

Rodrigo Bentancur is available having served another suspension, while both Fraser Forster and Radu Dragusin are hoping to be available having missed out with illnesses this past weekend. A host of other names are expected to return later this month.

Liverpool

It has been a tumultuous start to the New Year for Liverpool, despite leading the Premier League table, and the noise around Trent Alexander-Arnold has been the most deafening. The full back, Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are all entering the last six months of their contracts, but Real Madrid's bid for Alexander-Arnold has upset Liverpool and the supporters.

The poor performances in the 2-2 draw with Manchester United on Sunday did not help and Liverpool are looking to bounce back with a strong performance in the League Cup Semi Final. They are looking to defend the trophy they won in February 2024 and Liverpool have seen off West Ham United, Brighton and Southampton in their run to the last four, while this is a big opportunity to have a lead to take back to Anfield.

Liverpool were able to extend their unbeaten run to 24 games in all competitions, but the 4 game winning run was ended at Anfield this past weekend. The Reds have dropped some points at home over the last month, although it has been a different story away from Anfield where Liverpool have won 4 in a row in all competitions.

Joe Gomez is set to miss out, while Dominik Szoboszlai is a doubt having been suffering with an illness. Manager Arne Slot may make some changes with the likes of Conor Bradley, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez perhaps playing a part in the starting eleven.

Head to Head

Last month Liverpool won 3-6 here in the Premier League.

That result means Liverpool have won 6 of their last 8 visits to Tottenham Hotspur.

Prediction

The FA Cup Third Round is played this weekend and both Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool are facing lower League opponents which may allow the managers to really focus on this League Cup Semi Final First Leg.

However, Tottenham Hotspur's team have been stretched through injury and it is very tough to make a case for them against Liverpool, especially if Arne Slot picks a strong team.

Ange Postecoglou has almost promised silverware for the fans this season and he is under pressure to deliver, but this First Leg is played at a bad time. When the Second Leg comes around, Spurs might be in a much stronger position to compete and so it is key for the home team to avoid a big loss.

In saying that, it is not likely that the Australian will change his style and that leaves Tottenham Hotspur vulnerable with the defensive problems mounting up.

Last month Liverpool scored six here and they certainly have the attacking players to hurt Tottenham Hotspur and move past the disappointing 2-2 draw with Manchester United on Sunday. The squad is much healthier than Tottenham Hotspur's so some changes can be expected to freshen things up, but Arne Slot may feel this is a good chance for Liverpool to effectively book a place at Wembley way ahead of the Second Leg at Anfield.

Tottenham Hotspur will give it a go, but that will aid Liverpool who have players in the final third that will be able to hurt their hosts.

The odds are plenty short for a Liverpool win, but backing them to do so in a game where Mohamed Salah has another big impact offers up a decent price and one worth backing. Keep an eye on team news to ensure the Egyptian forward is starting in this one as this would be a void selection if Salah is on the bench or rested completely.