2024–25 EFL Cup: Event Details, Streaming Details, Odds, and Predictions

The 2024-25 EFL Cup season is about to begin, promising a fresh wave of excitement, fierce rivalries, and the thrill of the unpredictable. In this journey, fans can expect a thrilling match, rising stars, and an electrifying atmosphere. Whether you’re supporting a seasoned contender or cheering for an underdog, this season is set to be a rollercoaster ride from the first whistle to the showdown. Brace yourself for a season where every goal counts, and every match could make history!

The 2024-25 EFL Cup, also known as the Carabao Cup, is in its 65th season. The tournament embraces all Premier League and English Football League clubs, making it an inclusive event. This inclusivity fosters a sense of unity among the football community. The winner of the competition qualifies for the play-off round of the 2025-26 UEFA Conference League. The event will start on August 13, 2024, and conclude on March 16, 2025. Liverpool is the defending champion, and it will be exciting to see who will win the trophy this time. The tournament includes 92 clubs from the Premier League and the English Football League’s Championship, League One, and League Two. The EFL Cup, first held in 1960-61 as the Football League Cup, is one of England’s top-tier domestic competitions alongside the Premier Cup and FA Cup. While it is one of the four domestic trophies attainable by English league teams, it is considered to be of lower prestige than the league title or the FA Cup.

As stated above, this league cup is open to all 92 Premier League and English Football. League members. It is divided into seven rounds and organized so that 32 teams remain by the third round. The Cup is usually played on a knockout basis, with each team playing one match each round until the winner is determined. The winner of the League Cup is awarded a trophy and prize money. The EFL Cup is a prestigious tournament that provides an exciting platform for teams across the football leagues to showcase their talent and compete for silverware. With a history dating back decades, the competition has witnessed memorable moments and intense battles on the field. This tournament is eagerly anticipated by fans and players alike, and it continues to add to the legacy of football in the United Kingdom.

Teams

The 2024-25 EFL Cup will see a total of 92 clubs from the English Football League and Premier League compete. The top four English Football League divisions each have representation in the Cup. All 24 championship clubs and League One and Two clubs were represented in the first round. The Championship Clubs that placed 18th and 19th in the League and the Premier League Clubs that were not participating in the Champions League, Europa League, or Conference League, Luton Town and Burnley, were added to the competition in the next round. This process ensures that the EFL Cup is a true test of the best teams across the leagues.

In the first round, 70 clubs will participate, including 24 from EFL League Two, 24 from EFL League One, and 22 from the EFL Championship; for the second round, two clubs from the EFL Championship and 13 premier League Clubs who are not involved in the European Competition which consists of 50 clubs will enter. In the third round, it will be filtered into 32 clubs, with seven Premier League clubs involved in European competitions. In the fourth round, 16 clubs will participate, and eight clubs will be carried forward to the Quarter Finals, followed by the semi-final and final.

2024-25 EFL Cup key dates

First Round – August 12, 2024

Second Round – August 26, 2024

Third Round – September 16 and September 23, 2024

Fourth Round – October 28, 2024

Quarter-finals – December 16, 2024

Semi-finals – January 6, 2025, and February 3, 2025

Final – March 16, 2025

2024-25 First Round EFL Cup Draw

Where to Watch the 2024–25 EFL Cup?

Fans can watch the 2024-2025 EFL Cup on Sky Sports and Sky Sports+.

British fans can watch free live streams of 2024–25 Carabao Cup matches on ITVX from the semi-finals onwards.

US football enthusiasts can watch the Carabao Cup on DirecTV Stream, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and Paramount Plus via CBS Sports Network.

Canadian fans can watch the 2024-25 EFL Cup on DAZN.

Highlights of the EFL Cup will be shown on ITV4 and available on ITV Hubs

Prediction:

Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. vs Liverpool F.C.

In this EFL Cup week, Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. and Liverpool F.C. are ready to play their game on October 31, 2024, at Amex Stadium (Brighton).

Notable Players:

• Danny Welbeck is a solid player in Brighton who supported well in a game against Wolves in the Premier League.
• Liverpool is known for its offense, which builds players. Mohamed Salah showed good composure and made an excellent strike in the game against Arsenal.

Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. is one of the formidable teams in the Premier League. They hold the sixth position in the standing with 16 points. While noticing their record in the past five games, Brighton has 2 wins, 1 loss, and 2 draws. Even while balancing their results with wins and draws, Brighton fights back to not hold any losses in upcoming games. Looking into their gameplays, Brighton showed a well-coordinated performance against Tottenham and Newcastle. Also, in the previous game against the Wolves, they dominated their opponent throughout the match but failed to stop the Wolves close to the end of the game. They ended the game in a tie for 2-2.

On the other hand, Liverpool F.C. is one of the most successful teams in their games. In both the Champions League and Premier League, Liverpool shows their strength and continues to control the games against opponents. With a record of 4 wins and 1 draw in their past five games, Liverpool is ready to play their EFL Cup game against Brighton. Looking over the previous game against Arsenal, the game ended up tied with them for 2-2. In the first half, Virgil van Dijk managed to strike the goal with the assist of Luis Diaz. During the second half, Mohamed Salah scored a goal with Darwin Nunez’s help. Continuing the previous game, fans believe they will claim victory in this upcoming game against Brighton. Even though their opponent is a formidable team, Liverpool holds a higher chance to win.

Preston North End F.C. vs Arsenal F.C.

Fans are excited to witness the upcoming great clash between Preston North End F.C. and Arsenal F.C. in this upcoming EFL Cup on October 31, 2024, at Deepdale (Preston).

Notable Players:

• Mads Frokjaer-Jensen is a star player to watch in the upcoming games. He supported his team, Preston North End, in the game against Plymouth.
• Arsenal is an offensively solid team with many talented players. Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino are notable players who have contributed to the team’s victory.

Looking into the Arsenal F.C. team as a successful team in the Premier League by standing in third position with 18 points in their hand. In their past three games in EPL, Arsenal has been regular with their performance and holds the record of 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss. After winning the game against Southampton, Arsenal set to play against Bournemouth, but sadly, they lost 2-0. This disappointed fans greatly, and they expected to win the upcoming game. They did their best against their rival team, Liverpool, but they tied 2-2. After the Champions League and Premier League, Arsenal gets into the ground to face Preston in this EFL Cup game.

In contrast, Preston holds well-manageable results in its championship games. Preston has given their best in the past five games and holds the record of 2 wins and 3 draws. They faced the loss in a match against Millwall for 3-1. In the upcoming games, they are determined to perform without flaws and improve their gameplay. In their previous game against Plymouth, Preston dominated their opponent in the first and second half of the game, but sadly, they let their guard down at the end of the game, which led the opponent team to score goals to tie against them. Fans expect perfect coordinated gameplay in this EFL Cup game against Arsenal. While Preston has solid tactics, they have less possibility of defeating Arsenal.

Aston Villa F.C. vs Crystal Palace F.C.

On October 31, 2024, Aston Villa F.C. and Crystal Palace F.C. are prepared for their intense Carabao Cup game at Villa Park (Birmingham).

Notable Players:

• From Crystal Palace, Jean-Philippe Mateta scored an incredible goal against Tottenham, leading the team to victory.
• Leon Bailey and Ross Barkley are well-trained players who gave their best in the tough game with Bournemouth. Fans expect their performance in the upcoming game with Crystal Palace.

Fans are excited as Aston Villa prepares for their EFL Cup game with Crystal Palace. Aston Villa has done its best and has stood without any loss in its past five games. Aston Villa is one of the strong teams in EPL; also, they stand in fourth position with 18 points. In their nine games in the Premier League, Aston Villa holds better results with 5 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses. In their past two Champions League game, Aston Villa dominated their opponents Bayern Munich and Bologna by winning 1-0 and 2-0. As for the star player in Aston Villa, Leon Bailey is a notable player who assists his teammates in striking goals. And fans are expecting his performance in the upcoming game.

As for the opponent team, Crystal Palace is one of the most formidable teams in the Premier League. In their past h2h clash with Aston Villa, Crystal Palace managed to tie with them in the past five games with 2 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw. With this result, fans hold high expectations in this upcoming game. Still, Crystal Palace has struggled in recent games and stands in 17th position with 6 points. Crystal won just one game in their past nine games and holds a record of 3 draws and 5 losses. But in their recent game against Tottenham, Crystal Palace improved their gameplay and won the match 1-0. Fans expect them to continue to win the upcoming games without any flaws in their performance. Comparing both teams, Aston Villa F.C. have higher odds of winning in this EFL Cup game.

Tottenham Hotspur F.C. vs Manchester City F.C.

Tottenham Hotspur F.C. and Manchester City F.C. are entering the ground to play their EFL Cup match on October 31, 2024, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London).

Notable Players:

• Richarlison showed his potential in a game against AZ Alkmaar by striking a perfect penalty goal and leading the team to victory.
• From Manchester City, Erling Haaland is the key player who holds every fan’s attention with his excellent gameplay. Fans expect an incredible game in this match with Tottenham Hotspur.

Tottenham Hotspur is a well-balanced team that stands in 8th position with 13 points. Tottenham has played well in the past five games, including Europa League and Premier League. While they performed well in the past two games in the Europa League, Tottenham faced a crushing defeat in the previous match against Crystal Palace 1-0. While they are struggling to maintain their win, fans believe that this upcoming match in EFL will be a chance to improve their gameplay and change tactics. In this Carabao Cup, Tottenham is scheduled to face Manchester City, and this clash holds great anticipation among Premier League and EFL followers.

After nine matches, Manchester City stands in the top position in the Premier League with their undefeated record. With zero losses in the past nine games, fans want them to keep the winning streak. Along with the EPL, Manchester City plays in the Champions League and is successful without any flaw in their performance. They are ready to play against Tottenham Hotspur in this EFL Cup game. Fans believe this game will allow Manchester City to improve further for their upcoming game with some tough opponents. While Man City stands fearless with their solid offense build team, Tottenham also knows to be a formidable team. This makes this match intense as both teams have a chance to claim victory, but Manchester City FC has a higher chance of winning this game than their opponent, Tottenham Hotspur.