2025/26 EFL Cup Outright Betting Tips
The scrap to win the EFL Cup this season has already started, with the preliminary round taking place earlier this month.
Due to the number of teams competing in Europe, this season's competition saw four teams play each other in the first week of August.
Accrington Stanley and Newport County booked their place in the first round proper after wins over Oldham Athletic and Barnet.
Barring a major shock, neither team are expected to progress into the latter rounds, though, and it will be one of the Premier League big boys that are again fancied to get their hands on the trophy.
Newcastle United beat Liverpool at Wembley in February last season and the Reds will be out for revenge this time around.
Tip 1 – Liverpool to win the EFL Cup @ 5/1
The Reds won the 2024/25 Premier League title in Arne Slot's first season as manager and more is expected from the Dutchman this year.
Some critics expected Slot to struggle as he tried to step out of Jurgen Klopp's shadow, but he surpassed expectations as his side beat Arsenal to the title by 10 points.
Slot has wasted no time in trying to improve his squad and the Reds have added Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong for big money to his ranks in the last few months.
The departures of Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Jarell Quansah and Caoimhin Kelleher have been addressed, and Slot will feel he has now finally put his own stamp on things at Anfield.
Liverpool have some real strength in depth and last season proved how seriously they took the competition with that run to the final.
Some of their Academy's top stars also got the chance to impress and the Reds should go close again, when they will be aiming to make up for last year's final heartache.
Tip 2 – Chelsea to win the EFL Cup @ 8/1
Chelsea are being overlooked in the market at 8/1 and Enzo Maresca's team may make a mockery of that price.
The Blues finished strongly last season to finish fourth in the Premier League and they made a statement in the summer as they won the FIFA Club World Cup.
Maresca's side outclassed Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain in New Jersey to win the competition and their scouting department have been exceptionally busy over the summer.
Chelsea have transformed their forward line thanks to the arrivals of Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens and Liam Delap.
Meanwhile, Jorrel Hato, Estevao and Dario Essugo have also moved to Stamford Bridge and Maresca now has two squads to choose from.
Some are expected to leave and even though Chelsea have qualified for the Champions League, they should still have a big enough squad capable of competing on several fronts.
The additions of Pedro and Delap, in particular, should transform their attack and, at 8/1, Chelsea look a great bet to win the first major trophy of the campaign in early 2026.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
