Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips

The Carabao Cup brings a compelling Premier League matchup to Anfield on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, as a struggling Liverpool side hosts a Crystal Palace team that has recently become their unexpected bogey team. With both teams experiencing contrasting fortunes earlier in the season now reversed, this cup tie presents a critical opportunity for Liverpool to halt their alarming slide or for Palace to continue their recent dominance over the Reds.

Match Overview and Broadcasting Details

• Competition: Carabao Cup (EFL Cup)
• Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025
• Kick-off Time: 7:45 PM GMT
• Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
• How to Watch: The match will be televised live on Sky Sports Premier League in the UK, with coverage starting at 7:00 PM. Subscribers can also stream the action live via the Sky Go app.

Current Form and Team Analysis

Liverpool’s Troubling Trajectory

Liverpool enters this cup tie in what former defender Jamie Carragher has described as “crisis mode“. After a promising start to the season that saw them top the table in September, the Reds have suffered a dramatic collapse, losing five of their last six matches across all competitions. This dismal run includes four consecutive defeats in the Premier League that have seen the defending champions slump to seventh position, already seven points adrift of leaders Arsenal.

The team’s defensive solidity has completely evaporated, with the Reds managing just two clean sheets in their last 14 matches. Their recent 3-2 loss to Brentford exemplified their current struggles—despite boasting 66% possession and generating five shots on target, defensive lapses proved costly. Manager Arne Slot is under increasing pressure to reverse this alarming trend, with matches against elite opponents like Real Madrid and Manchester City looming on the horizon.

Crystal Palace’s Mixed Fortunes

Crystal Palace arrives at Anfield with their own recent struggles but holding a significant psychological advantage. The Eagles saw their club-record 19-match unbeaten streak snapped earlier this month and are currently winless in their last four outings. This dip in form included a shocking Conference League defeat to AEK Larnaca and a narrow loss to Arsenal where they were sunk by former hero Eberechi Eze.

Despite their recent downturn, Palace has proven to be a tough opponent for Liverpool in recent encounters. Their victories over the Reds in both the Community Shield and Premier League this season provide compelling evidence of their bogey team status. Oliver Glasner’s side will be looking to rediscover their early-season form, which had them sitting fifth in the Premier League with an impressive +4 goal differential.

Team News and Expected Lineups

Liverpool’s Injury Concerns

Liverpool’s squad has been hampered by several key absences. Record signing Alexander Isak (groin) and Ryan Gravenberch (ankle) both missed Saturday’s loss at Brentford and are considered unlikely to be risked here with more critical fixtures approaching. The situation is more concerning in the goalkeeping department, where first-choice Alisson Becker remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Further back, Jeremie Frimpong (hamstring) will be out for several weeks, while Giovanni Leoni is expected to miss approximately a year after undergoing surgery for a torn ACL. Midfielder Curtis Jones is also a doubt after being withdrawn in the Brentford match with a minor issue, though initial assessments suggest it isn’t serious.

With rotation expected for this cup fixture, backup goalkeeper Freddie Woodman and defender Calvin Ramsay are reportedly being considered for rare starts.

Crystal Palace’s Absences

Palace’s injury situation is comparatively less severe. The Eagles will be without Cheick Doucoure and teenage defender Caleb Kporha, both of whom remain sidelined. Defender Chadi Riad is expected to resume training soon after recovering from a long-term knee injury but won’t feature in this match.

Manager Oliver Glasner may make some changes to combat fatigue after his team’s recent dip in form. Eddie Nketiah—who scored the late winner in last month’s Premier League victory over Liverpool—is pushing for a recall, while former Reds full-back Nathaniel Clyne may also feature against his old club.

Predicted Lineups

Based on the available team news and expected rotations, the starting lineups could look like this:

Table: Liverpool vs Crystal Palace Predicted Lineups

Lineup predictions based on tactical analysis and team news.

Head-to-Head (H2H) History and Results

The historical record between these clubs heavily favors Liverpool, with 37 wins compared to Palace’s 17, alongside 14 draws. However, recent encounters tell a different story that Palace will find encouraging.

Liverpool have won none of their last three games against Palace. Even more concerning for the Reds is their poor home record against the Eagles—they haven’t beaten them at Anfield since 2021. The last League Cup meeting between these sides occurred twenty years ago, when then-European champions Liverpool suffered a 2-1 defeat at Selhurst Park in the third round.

This season’s encounters have both gone Palace’s way. The first was a 2-2 draw in the Community Shield that Palace won on penalties, followed by a 2-1 Premier League victory at Selhurst Park last month courtesy of Eddie Nketiah’s late goal.

Tactical Analysis and Key Battles

Liverpool’s Approach

With pressure mounting on manager Arne Slot, Liverpool is expected to deploy an attacking 4-3-3 formation with an emphasis on controlling possession and applying high pressure. However, their recent defensive vulnerabilities—conceding an average of 1.8 goals per game over their last 10 matches—suggest this approach has become unbalanced.

The potential inclusion of Hugo Ekitike could prove significant. The forward has scored three goals in his past five home matches and represents a credible goal threat with odds of 2.50 to score anytime. Liverpool will likely look to dominate the midfield through players like Alexis Mac Allister and Wataru Endo, who can control the tempo and distribution.

Crystal Palace’s Strategy

Under Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace has developed into a well-organized, counter-attacking side that typically employs a 3-4-3 formation. Their defensive record this season—conceding just two goals in their first five Premier League matches—highlighted their early solidity, though this has diminished recently.

Palace’s attacking threat largely revolves around Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has registered five goals in his last 10 appearances. The Eagles will likely look to exploit Liverpool’s defensive fragility through quick transitions and set pieces, with Ismaila Sarr and Eberechi Eze providing creative impetus in the final third.

Key Matchups

1. Liverpool’s High Line vs Palace’s Counter-Attack: Palace’s pacey forwards could exploit the space behind Liverpool’s advanced defensive line.
2. Midfield Control: The battle between Palace’s organized midfield unit and Liverpool’s technical creators will be pivotal in determining which team controls the game’s rhythm.
3. Set-Piece Efficiency: With both teams demonstrating vulnerability in defensive set-piece situations, dead-ball scenarios could prove decisive.

Betting Odds, Predictions and Tips

Current Betting Odds

Table: Liverpool vs Crystal Palace Match Odds

Odds are subject to change and should be verified before placing wagers.

Expert Predictions

Standard Sport Prediction

The Standard Sport preview anticipates Liverpool emerging victorious with a 2-1 scoreline, suggesting the Reds will finally overcome their recent struggles and Palace’s bogey team status to progress in the Carabao Cup.

FootballPredictions.com

This analysis forecasts a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes, pointing to Liverpool’s poor form and Palace’s confidence from recent head-to-head results. They recommend betting on both teams to score and over 2.5 goals.

WhoScored.com Preview

WhoScored’s statistical analysis predicts a 1-1 draw and recommends betting on under 2.5 goals, noting that Liverpool have seen under 2.5 goals in their last four home matches against Crystal Palace across all competitions.

Dimers.com Model

Dimers’ predictive model, which simulates the match outcome 10,000 times, gives Liverpool a 67.7% chance of victory, compared to Crystal Palace’s 15.1% win probability, with a 17.2% likelihood of a draw. Their most probable correct score prediction is 2-1 to Liverpool.

Betting Tips and Recommendations

1. Both Teams to Score – Yes (1.64): With Liverpool’s defensive struggles (no clean sheets in their last 5 matches) and Palace’s ability to score against them in recent encounters, this offers solid value.
2. Correct Score – Liverpool 2-1 (6.50): Despite their poor form, Liverpool’s quality and home advantage should eventually tell against a Palace side that has themselves struggled recently.
3. Mohamed Salah – Under 1.5 Shots on Target (1.62): The Egyptian forward has recorded under 1.5 shots on goal in eight of his past nine home matches, making this a statistically supported prop bet.
4. Total Corners – Over 9.5 (2.63): Liverpool’s attacking style typically generates numerous corner opportunities, with their matches averaging 10.3 total corners recently.
5. Anytime Goalscorer – Hugo Ekitike (2.50): With three goals in his past five home appearances, Ekitike represents good value to find the net.

Final Prediction and Conclusion

This Carabao Cup clash arrives at a critical juncture for both clubs, though for very different reasons. For Liverpool, it represents an opportunity to halt their alarming slide and rebuild confidence ahead of a challenging run of fixtures. For Crystal Palace, it’s a chance to extend their recent dominance over the Reds and advance in a cup competition that could define their season.

While the overwhelming historical record favors Liverpool, recent form and head-to-head results suggest this will be a tightly contested affair. Palace’s unbeaten record at Anfield since 2021, combined with their two victories over Liverpool already this season, provides them with a significant psychological advantage.

However, Liverpool’s quality cannot be indefinitely suppressed, and the combination of home advantage, squad depth, and increasing desperation for a positive result should see them through in a closely fought contest.

Final Prediction

The Reds are expected to finally overcome their Palace hoodoo in a match that sees both teams score, with Liverpool’s attacking quality ultimately proving decisive against a Palace side that has itself struggled for results in recent weeks.

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