2019-20 EFL Carabao Cup Odds: Man City 4-1 Favorite, Liverpool 8-1
- Guardiola seeks club’s fifth triumph in seven seasons
- Anfield’s Klopp is hunting first domestic trophy after Champions League win
- Tottenham hoping to end 11-year wait for success
Manchester City’s long-term aim is to rule Europe in the Champions League. But they do not overlook England’s third-rated EFL Carabao Cup trophy which they have won four times in the past six seasons.
EFL Carabao Cup Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Manchester City | +400 |
| Liverpool | +800 |
| Chelsea | +1000 |
| Manchester United | +1000 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | +1000 |
| Arsenal | +1200 |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | +1400 |
| Everton | +1600 |
| Leicester City | +2500 |
| Watford | +3300 |
| West Ham United | +3300 |
| Bournemouth | +4000 |
| Crystal Palace | +4000 |
| Newcastle United | +4000 |
| Aston Villa | +5000 |
Odds taken at 2019/08/03.
It was the first prize they won on the way to their historic treble last season. And they are favorites to win it again at +400 ahead of second-favorites Liverpool, who are +800.
The competition begins on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 with its opening first round tie between Portsmouth and Birmingham City.
The odds for the leading two contenders are tempting. But his could feasibly be a campaign in which Tottenham Hotspur (+1000) end their 11-year wait for a trophy. Chelsea and Manchester United are the same price.
Emery’s Arsenal Target
Arsenal boss Unai Emery will be keen to land his first silverware for the club in his second season in command and they are rated just behind Spurs at +1200.
Or it could very well be a campaign in which one of the much-improved mid-level sides such as Wolves (+1400) – a smart choice – Everton (+1600), Leicester City (+2500) or West Ham United (+3300) will triumph.
City and Liverpool are correctly rated as the leading contenders based on the strength of their squads.
Wolves through to the @EuropaLeague third qualifying round with a 6-1 aggregate win over @CrusadersFC. The visitors battle back from going a goal down to win 4-1 on the night. #CRUWOL
— Wolves (@Wolves) August 1, 2019
However, the demand for Pep Guardiola’s City team to make an impact in the Champions League after dominating the English game last season will increase in 2019-20.
After finishing narrowly second to City in the Premier League while losing only one match, there will be an increased expectation that Liverpool can ends its 30-year wait to win the league title.
This might diminish the level of focus upon the EFL Cup, which is sponsored by the Carabao energy drinks company.
After finishing narrowly second to City in the Premier League while losing only one match, there will be an increased expectation that Liverpool can end its 30-year wait to win the league title.
That said, despite winning the Champions League in June, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has yet to lift any kind of domestic prize since his arrival at Anfield in 2015.
And it is certainly true that the biggest English clubs have such powerful strength-in-depth that they can make a challenge for the EFL Cup without over-working their leading players.
Big Club Dominance
Even though the status of the EFL Cup means it is not as highly regarded as the Premier League and the FA Cup, it has been increasingly dominated by the elite clubs in recent years.
It is the first piece of silverware available in the English season. Coaches at the elite outfits believe that success in the Wembley final can help establish a winning habit in pursuit of the bigger prizes.
Welcome to The Arsenal, Nicolas Pepe ?
?? #PepeIsHere ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/nXJIB9XdLW
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 1, 2019
The big clubs also use the early stages of the tournament as a way of giving competitive match-time to fringe players and young prospects,
Only twice in the last 14 years has the elite club grip been broken when Birmingham City won in 2011 and Swansea City in 2013.
Along with City’s four recent wins in 2014, 2016. 2018 and 2019, it was won by Liverpool in 2012, Chelsea in 2015 and Manchester United in 2017.
Only twice in the last 14 years has the elite club grip been broken when Birmingham City won in 2011 and Swansea City in 2013.
All 48 League One and League Two clubs compete in the first round of the competition, along with 22 of the 24 Championship teams.
All but one of the first round ties will be played on Tuesday, August 13.
Increasing Power of Mid-Level Teams
There is a feeling in England that the growing financial strength of the mid-level teams might enable them to break the stranglehold of the big clubs in the EFL Cup.
Spurs showed their capabilities by reaching the Champions League final against Liverpool in June and finished third in the Premier League.
Frank Lampard's thoughts after yesterday's 5-3 win in Austria… ?https://t.co/tMQEEHGc8t
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 1, 2019
As they begin their first full season in their new stadium, the clamor is increasing for the improvements made during the reign of manager Mauricio Pochettino to finally produce something tangible.
Wolves’ last trophy was the EFL Cup in 1980. They made an impressive return to the EPL last season with coach Nuno Espirito Santo making the $50 million permanent signing of former loanee forward Raul Jiminez a major statement of intent.
They last lifted silverware when they won the EFL Cup in 2008.
Wolves’ last trophy was the EFL Cup in 1980. They made an impressive return to the EPL last season with coach Nuno Espirito Santo making the $50 million permanent signing of former loanee forward Raul Jiminez a major statement of intent.
Everton haven’t won anything since since the FA Cup victory in 1995. But the methods of coach Marco Silva have now become embedded and they are showing ambition as they seek to complete the signing of hot prospect and young Juventus forward Moise Kean.
Ninety two teams set out on the road to Wembley, but just one could have the glory.@ManCity: 2019 #CarabaoCup winners.#EFL | #CarabaoCupFinal pic.twitter.com/FJMGyBV17M
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) February 25, 2019
Rodgers Tipped for Success
Leicester City – who won the EFL Cup in 2000 – are much-fancied for success this season under highly-rated coach Brendan Rodgers.
They have made two big signings to land former loanee Youri Tielemans and Ayoze Perez.
Tottenham step up Bruno Fernandes pursuit as negotiations begin over move for Manchester United targethttps://t.co/UzddWJRb4f
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) August 2, 2019
West Ham last tasted glory in the FA Cup in 1980. They also look promising this season under attacking coach Manuel Pellegrini. He has broken the club’s transfer record to land impressive French forward Sebastien Haller from Eintracht Frankfurt for $72 million.
Pick: Wolves +1400
John Dillon is a leading member of the UK's sporting media, having spent three decades as a national newspaper soccer and sports writer, broadcaster and author. He has covered five World Cups, six European Championships and was Chief Sports Writer at the Daily Express for 14 years.
