Arsenal vs Liverpool Odds & Prediction – EFL Cup Semifinals Leg 2

• English giants meet in delayed return game at 2:45 pm ET on Thursday
• Arsenal battled to a goalless draw in first leg at Anfield last week
• See the odds and best bets for Arsenal vs Liverpool in the EFL Cup Semifinals Leg 2

Arsenal and Liverpool will start with a blank sheet when they meet in the second leg of England’s EFL Carabao Cup semifinal on Thursday.

Following a 0-0 draw in the first leg at Anfield last Thursday, both teams have everything to play for in this tie.

A place awaits in the final against Chelsea at Wembley on February 27.

Arsenal vs Liverpool Odds

Odds as of January 19 at Barstool

Certainly, the build-up to this game has been turbulent, with the first leg initially postponed after a virus outbreak. And with Arsenal also battling COVID-19 issues this week.

There were some doubts that this second leg would go ahead but Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is now confident it will take place.

Meanwhile, Liverpool is particularly hard hit by the absence of its pair of star goal-getters Mo Salah and Sadio Mane who are both on international duty at the Africa Cup Of Nations.

Ten-Men Gunners Battled for Draw

Furthermore, Arsenal staged a battling rear-guard action with only 10 men in the first leg after midfielder Granit Xhaka was sent off after 24 minutes.

Despite that, the oddsmakers at Barstool Sportsbook make Liverpool the favorite for a win over 90 minutes in Thursday’s encounter.

It is priced at +105 with Arsenal at +260. With kick-off at 2:45 pm ET, the draw – over 90 minutes also – is rated at an attractive +265.

However, there are more promising choices among the prop offers. And, at +510, the option – Arsenal To Win And Both Teams To Score – is very interesting.

Arsenal vs Liverpool Statistics

*Stats from Carabao Cup 2021-22

Even though the first tie was goalless, this is likely to be a more open affair. So it is likely there will be goals.

And certainly, this competition offers Arsenal its only remaining chance of lifting silverware this season.

That is following its shock exit in the FA Cup Third Round against Championship side Nottingham Forest earlier in January.

Moreover, fifth-placed Arsenal has enjoyed the benefit of a longer rest period after the postponement of the EPL derby against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, again because of COVID-19 issues.

Conversely, Liverpool is still fighting on four fronts – and Arsenal’s greater need in the Carabao Cup may prove decisive.

Liverpool Lost Home Advantage for Return  Game

Following the initial postponement of the first leg, home advantage in the second leg has switched to Arsenal.

The first leg was originally due to be staged in London.

Since the first leg meeting, second-placed Liverpool’s league form has picked up in the Premier League with a 3-0 home win against Brentford.

#afc Arsenal optimistic that Liverpool game tomorrow will go ahead, as fitness crisis eases.

Arteta speaking to media this afternoon at 1.30pm.https://t.co/pzHkxnqa1w

— Simon Collings (@sr_collings) January 19, 2022

It had failed to win its three previous EPL fixtures.

Undoubtedly, however, it is particularly hard hit by the absence of Salah – who has supplied 26 goals this season – and of Mane, who has a tally of 24 strikes.

With those two prolific forwards missing, the goals against Brentford were delivered by Fabinho, Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain and Takumi Minamino.

Jurgen Klopp  has yet to win either of England’s domestic cup competitions

Despite Arsenal’s clear motivation, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp also has a particular reason for aiming for success in the Carabao Cup.

Significantly, he has yet to win either of England’s domestic cup competitions since he took charge at Anfield in 2015.

🗣 "When we start of the season we speak about that we want to create memories with our fans. It's good that we are in January and we're talking about reaching finals."

Pep Lijnders looks ahead to Liverpool facing Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg pic.twitter.com/SH1mpKu0YI

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) January 19, 2022

His team lost on penalties in the 2016 final against Manchester City.

Indeed, Liverpool has not won this competition since 2012 although it holds the most overall wins of any club with a total of eight.

In 1987, moreover, Arsenal defeated Liverpool 2-1 in the final at Wembley when the competition was known as the Littlewoods Cup.

Meanwhile, Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey will return from AFCON after Ghana’s exit on Tuesday – but will not be available against Liverpool.

Striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has also returned due to fitness issues.

However, first-team regulars Nicolas Pepe and Mohammed Elneny are still at the tournament in Cameroon.

Reds Won 4-0 In Last EPL Clash

Previously, Liverpool was a  4-0 winner when these teams met on Merseyside in the EPL last.

Arsenal, however, has progressed to the final in three of its last four semifinal attempts.

Arsenal are the first side to stop Liverpool scoring in a game at Anfield across all competitions this season.

And they did it with 10-men for 71 minutes. 💪 pic.twitter.com/fjZxm4GtDm

— Squawka (@Squawka) January 13, 2022

It has never lost at home to Liverpool in this competition with three wins and three draws.

Meanwhile, Liverpool has been eliminated in two of its last three semifinals.

Arsenal was beaten in the 2018 final by Man. City.

Two-time winner Arsenal has not won this competition since 1993.

It was beaten in the 2018 final by Manchester City.

Xhaka of Arsenal is suspended after his red card last week.

🗣 "We played against Forest when we had 10 players out, we played Liverpool with many players out."

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal did everything they could to potentially play the game against Tottenham pic.twitter.com/YI22Yl2bul

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) January 19, 2022

Meanwhile, Liverpool has lost lose Oxlade- Chamberlain with an ankle injury after his goal against Brentford last weekend.

So, in conclusion, an open and competitive cup tie looks in store.

Both sides are likely to hit the net. And Arsenal, perhaps, has the greater motivation to win a place in the final.

Pick:  Arsenal to win and both teams to score (+510)