Southampton vs Liverpool, EFL Cup: Prediction, Match Preview & Live Streaming, 19 December 2024

As we approach the EFL Cup quarter-finals, Southampton host Liverpool at St. Mary’s Stadium under overcast clouds. This midweek clash is set to kick off at 01:30 IST, with Liverpool coming into the match as the bookmakers’ favourite with odds of 1.48. The Saints face a daunting task, especially considering their recent 0-5 drubbing by Tottenham, which led to the dismissal of manager Russell Martin.

Liverpool, under new manager Arne Slot, are in excellent form—unbeaten in their last eight matches in this tournament. Notably, Cody Gakpo has been in prolific scoring form, with 4 goals in just 2 matches this season. Southampton, on the other hand, are struggling at the bottom of the Premier League and have a host of injuries to key players like Gavin Bazunu and Ross Stewart.

Our match prediction tips include a recommended bet on “Both teams to score: no,” given both teams’ recent tendencies. Liverpool’s defensive solidity, having secured 3 clean sheets in the last 5 games, versus Southampton’s trouble in scoring might make this a low-scoring affair.

With Simon Rusk stepping in as interim manager for Southampton and Liverpool’s key players like Salah, Alisson, and Luis Diaz set to be rested, the stage is set for an intriguing contest. Southampton will need a robust performance to overcome the odds and secure a spot in the semi-finals.

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Southampton vs Liverpool Prediction
Betting tip	Odds
Both teams to score: no	2.55

• Southampton have struggled to find the net, averaging just 0.80 goals in their last five games.
• Liverpool have kept 3 clean sheets in their last 5 games, showcasing solid defensive prowess.
• The recent form analysis suggests a lower-scoring match, making the odds favorable.

Given Liverpool’s defensive solidity and Southampton’s attacking struggles, betting on both teams not to score looks like a wise choice for this matchup.

Southampton vs Liverpool Odds

The EFL Cup quarter-final clash between Southampton and Liverpool has bookmakers heavily favoring the visitors. The odds reflect Liverpool’s excellent form and Southampton’s recent struggles. Here’s a quick overview of the betting odds for this exciting match:

Southampton vs Liverpool Betting Odds
Bet	Odds
Southampton	5.66
Draw	4.75
Liverpool	1.48

Southampton vs Liverpool Live Streaming

Fans can watch all the EFL Cup action in India on the Fancode app. Hence, the Southampton vs Liverpool EFL Cup match will be streamed live on Fancode at 1:00 am IST on December 19.

Southampton Team Analysis

Southampton Recent Performance LLLDL

Southampton has been in a rough patch recently with a form of LLLDL. In their last five matches, they have struggled defensively, failing to keep any clean sheets and conceding an average of 2.6 goals per game. Offensively, they’ve managed just 0.80 goals per game.
Their recent defeats underscore their struggles this season, including a heavy loss to Tottenham and a narrow defeat to Liverpool.
Interim manager Simon Rusk will need to bolster both their attack and defense to have any chance against Liverpool.

Home team	Away team	Result
Southampton	Tottenham Hotspur	0-5 (Loss)
Aston Villa	Southampton	1-0 (Loss)
Southampton	Chelsea	1-5 (Loss)
Brighton	Southampton	1-1 (Draw)
Southampton	Liverpool	2-3 (Loss)

Southampton Key Players

Southampton will be looking to Cameron Archer, their top scorer with 2 goals, to lead their attack. Archer’s performance will be critical, especially against Liverpool’s robust defense led by Virgil van Dijk. Jan Bednarek, despite his muscle injury, has been a key defensive figure, and his potential absence could hurt their backline stability. His battle against Cody Gakpo, Liverpool’s top scorer with 4 goals, would have been pivotal. Interim manager Simon Rusk may rely on Aribo and Flynn Downes in midfield to control possession and transition play effectively. Expected lineup for Southampton:

• Goalkeeper: Alex McCarthy
• Defenders: Kyle Walker-Peters, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Jan Bednarek, Ryan Manning
• Midfielders: Joe Aribo, Flynn Downes, Mateus Fernandes, Tyler Dibling
• Attackers: Adam Armb, Kamaldeen Sulemana Key individual battles:
• Archer vs. van Dijk
• Aribo vs. Curtis Jones in midfield

Southampton Suspensions & Injuries

Southampton will face significant challenges due to a number of injuries within their squad. The absence of key players could severely impact their performance against Liverpool.

Player	Injury	Expected return
Gavin Bazunu	Achilles tendon injury	Mid-January 2025
Ross Stewart	Calf injury	Late December 2024
Will Smallbone	Hamstring injury	Late December 2024
Aaron Ramsdale	Broken finger	A few days
Jan Bednarek	Muscle injury	Doubtful
Paul Onuachu	Knock injury	Doubtful
Adam Lallana	Hamstring injury	Doubtful

These injuries will likely force interim manager Simon Rusk to rely on less experienced players to step up, particularly in defense and midfield. Jan Bednarek’s doubtful status is especially concerning as he has been a key defensive figure for the team.

Southampton Tactics and Formation

Southampton Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 5-3-2 or 5-4-1 (recent trend)
• Key Forward: Adam Armb
• Midfield Trio: Joe Aribo, Flynn Downes, Mateus Fernandes

Defensive Solidity:

• With Jan Bednarek’s injury status doubtful, the defense may lack stability.
• Reliance on wing-backs, such as Kyle Walker-Peters and Ryan Manning, for both defensive and attacking duties.

Notable Strategy:

• A defensively cautious approach, given their recent goal-conceding struggles, aiming to absorb pressure and counter-attack.
• Interim coach Simon Rusk might look to pack the midfield to disrupt Liverpool’s fluid attacking play.

This approach highlights their defensive vulnerabilities and the need to rely on opportunistic counter-attacks to trouble the formidable Liverpool defense.

Liverpool Team Analysis

Liverpool Recent Performance DWDWW

Liverpool’s recent performances have demonstrated their strength and consistency. In the last five matches, they have secured three wins and two draws, showcasing a balanced mix of defensive solidity and attacking prowess.
Recent Form: DWDWW
Liverpool have managed three clean sheets in their last five games, reflecting their robust defensive capabilities. Additionally, they have an impressive average of 2.00 goals scored per match, highlighting their attacking efficiency.

Home team	Away team	Result
Liverpool	Fulham	2-2 (Draw)
Girona	Liverpool	0-1 (Win)
Newcastle United	Liverpool	3-3 (Draw)
Liverpool	Manchester City	2-0 (Win)
Liverpool	Real Madrid	2-0 (Win)

Liverpool’s unbeaten run, especially their victories against Manchester City and Real Madrid, underlines their potential to go deep in the EFL Cup and maintain their impressive form.

Liverpool Key Players

Liverpool boasts an impressive lineup filled with key players who can turn the game around at any moment. The expected lineup for Liverpool includes:

• Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
• Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joseph Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson
• Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo
• Attackers: Luis Diaz

Cody Gakpo, the top scorer with four goals in the tournament, will be a pivotal figure, likely causing trouble for Southampton’s defense. Mohamed Salah’s creative play from midfield promises to bring additional firepower. Virgil van Dijk will be crucial in maintaining Liverpool’s defensive strength, especially against Southampton’s Cameron Archer.

Keep an eye on key battles such as Cody Gakpo against Jan Bednarek and Mohamed Salah facing Southampton’s midfield trio.

Liverpool Suspensions & Injuries

Liverpool has a few key players sidelined, which might affect their squad depth for this EFL Cup Quarter Finals match against Southampton. Injuries:

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Joel Matip	Cruciate ligament injury	Out for season
Konstantinos Tsimikas	Ankle injury	Doubtful
Ibrahima Konaté	Knee injury	Late December 2024
Conor Bradley	Hamstring injury	Late December 2024
Federico Chiesa	Muscle injury	Doubtful
Diogo Jota	Knock injury	Doubtful

Liverpool Tactics and Formation

Liverpool’s Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Cody Gakpo
  Liverpool has been deploying a 4-2-3-1 formation, which provides a balanced approach, blending defensive solidity with offensive prowess.
  In attack, Cody Gakpo plays a pivotal role, having scored 4 goals in this tournament already, underscoring his importance up front.
  The midfield trio, typically featuring Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, and Dominik Szoboszlai, is instrumental in both ball progression and defensive cover.
  Defensively, Liverpool has shown resilience, registering three clean sheets in their last five matches.
  Their strategy often focuses on maintaining high possession and exploiting the wings through the pace and creativity of Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz.
  Expect Liverpool to apply high pressing to disrupt Southampton’s build-up play, seeking to capitalize on turnovers and quick transitions.

Southampton vs. Liverpool Head-to-Head Statistics

The recent encounters between Southampton and Liverpool have consistently favored the visitors. Here’s a look at their last 5 meetings:

Home	Away	Result
Southampton	Liverpool	2-3
Liverpool	Southampton	3-0
Southampton	Liverpool	4-4
Liverpool	Southampton	3-1
Southampton	Liverpool	1-2

Venue and Weather

St. Mary’s Stadium will host this EFL Cup quarter-final clash between Southampton and Liverpool. The stadium, which can accommodate over 32,000 fans, is known for its vibrant atmosphere and passionate home support.

Weather conditions for the match indicate an overcast sky with a temperature of 10°C, humidity at 76%, and a wind speed of 5.09 m/s. Such conditions could make the pitch slightly slick, favoring quick passes and fluid gameplay.

Southampton might look to exploit their defensive shape, while Liverpool, known for high pressing and swift transition play, could be well-suited to manage these conditions effectively. The overcast weather might have minimal impact on their high-energy tactics, but ball control and footing could be crucial.