Liverpool kick off their EFL Cup defence at Anfield this Wednesday, hosting a struggling West Ham side. Both teams have had contrasting starts to their campaigns, with the Reds aiming to maintain their momentum while the Hammers look to bounce back from their recent dip in form.

Liverpool, after a comfortable 3-0 victory over Bournemouth in the Premier League, come into this game as favorites. Meanwhile, West Ham are seeking redemption following their heavy 3-0 defeat to Chelsea over the weekend.

Liverpool Aim to Maintain Dominance | Home Win = 1.38

The Reds have been in fine form, winning five of their six games this season. Luis Diaz has been a standout performer, netting five goals in as many league matches, including a brace in the weekend’s victory. Liverpool’s defence has been equally solid, conceding only two goals in all competitions.

Liverpool are also unbeaten at Anfield in EFL Cup fixtures since 2020, and their third-round exit six years ago remains a distant memory. Klopp’s side will be keen to add to their record-extending 10th EFL Cup title.

West Ham Struggling to Regain Form | Away Win = 7.28

West Ham, on the other hand, are on a three-match winless streak, having recorded just one victory in their last five fixtures across all competitions. Their most recent outing saw them fall 3-0 to Chelsea, a performance that highlighted their defensive frailties.

The Hammers’ only positive result came in the second round of the EFL Cup when Jarrod Bowen’s late goal secured a narrow win over Bournemouth. However, their poor record against Liverpool, with just one win in their last 17 meetings, adds to their challenge.

Key Players & Team News:

Liverpool will be without Harvey Elliott, who remains side-lined with a foot injury, while Alisson’s availability is in doubt due to a muscle issue. Caoimhin Kelleher is expected to start in goal, with new signing Federico Chiesa likely to make his first appearance for the Reds.

For West Ham, Niclas Fullkrug’s injury could see Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus leading the line. Lukasz Fabianski is also set to replace Alphonse Areola in goal as the Hammers aim to avoid a repeat of last season’s 5-1 EFL Cup quarter-final drubbing at Anfield.

Match Stats & Betting Odds| Draw = 5.09

Liverpool have won five of their last six games, scoring 12 goals and conceding just two in all competitions. | Specials Market: 1x2 & O/U 2.5 (Home & Over 2.5) = 1.80

West Ham, having netted in (4) of their last (5) games, are unbeaten in their last two away games winning one and drawing the other. | Main Market: GG/NG (Yes) = 1.76

Liverpool and West Ham have played over 2.5 goals in four (4) of their last five (5) meetings (2-2, 3-1, 1-2), with six goals happening in their last EFL Cup encounter in 2023 (5-1). | Main Market: Over 3.5 = 2.27

You can follow and bet on the EFL Cup game, Liverpool vs West Ham, on MSport here.

The Derby della Madonnina is set for Sunday as Serie A champions Inter Milan clash with AC Milan at the Giuseppe Meazza.

 Inter, unbeaten this season, sit third in the standings, while Milan, languishing in 10th, are already feeling the pressure of their poor start.

Inter Aim to Continue Derby Dominance | Home Win = 1.69

Inter Milan have dominated recent derbies, winning their last six meetings against AC Milan across all competitions with an aggregate score-line of 14-2. They are unbeaten in Serie A this season, although a 1-1 draw against Monza last week was disappointing.

Lautaro Martinez, yet to score this season, returns to the starting lineup and will be key alongside Marcus Thuram, who has six goal involvements in four league games.

Milan Look to End Winless Derby Run | Away Win = 5.00

AC Milan enter the derby in poor form, having won just one of their opening five matches and sitting in 10th place. Despite a 4-0 victory over Venezia, pressure mounts on coach Paulo Fonseca, whose position is already under scrutiny.

Milan’s attack, likely led by Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic, must perform to end their winless run against Inter, with Leao historically effective in derby games.

Key Players & Team News:

Inter will be bolstered by the return of Federico Dimarco from injury, while Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram will lead the attack.

Milan face a goalkeeping crisis with both Mike Maignan and Marco Sportiello out, leaving teenager Lorenzo Torriani potentially starting. Fonseca’s team will miss Ismael Bennacer and Alessandro Florenzi due to injuries, further complicating their plans.

Match Stats & Betting Odds| Draw = 4.18

Inter have won nine of their last 14 Serie A meetings with Milan, with their attack averaging over two goals per game in this fixture. | Main Market: = Home (1x2 - Early Pay-out) = 1.66

Milan’s last win in the derby came in 2022, and with them scoring in each of the3ir last five games in all competitions they would hope they can outscore their city rivals. | Main Market: GG (No) = 1.69 

Inter have seen two of their last five games end in over 2.5 goals while Milan have seen all their last five games end with over 2.5 goals. The last two meetings between the two teams also saw over 2.5 goals (1-2, 5-1) | Specials Market: Home & Over 1.5 = 1.87

You can follow and bet on the Italian Serie A game, Inter Milano vs AC Milan, on MSport here.

The English Premier League’s top two contenders for two straight seasons now, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, both unbeaten this season, face each other in the firecracker that is the biggest game of the week when the Gunners travel to the Etihad on Sunday.

City, fresh off a goalless draw with Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League, will seek to maintain their perfect league record. Meanwhile, Arsenal, buoyed by a strong defensive record, hope to build on their recent positive results against the reigning champions.

Man City Look to Maintain 100% League Record | Home Win = 1.88

Man City’s domestic form has been impeccable, with four consecutive league wins and 11 goals scored. The Citizens’ attack is spearheaded by Erling Haaland, who has already netted nine goals, breaking records in the process.

While Pep Guardiola’s side come into this game as the defending league champions for a fourth consecutive season, they will know that after their draw against Inter, anything other than 3 points against an injury-hit Arsenal will be considered alarming for a Citizens team that has such a high standard.

Arsenal Hope to Extend Unbeaten Run Against Rivals | Away Win = 4.69

Arsenal travel to the Etihad with confidence, having avoided defeat in their last three encounters against Man City, including a 1-0 home win last season. The Gunners are in fine form, boasting four clean sheets in five matches this term.

However, Mikel Arteta’s men will know that while their opponents do not have the same number of clean sheets, they are the only team in the league to have won all their league games this term and given that they are on a 47-game unbeaten run at the Etihad, where this game takes place.

Key Players & Team News:

City will miss Nathan Ake and Oscar Bobb due to injuries, while De Bruyne’s absence is a major blow. Guardiola is expected to rely on Haaland’s scoring prowess and Foden’s creativity to unlock Arsenal’s defence.

Arsenal will be without Odegaard, Mikel Merino, and Takehiro Tomiyasu, which could impact their midfield dynamics. The form of Bukayo Saka and the potential inclusion of Raheem Sterling against his former club will be crucial as the Gunners aim to upset the champions.

Match Stats & Betting Odds | Draw = 3.77

City has a strong record at home, unbeaten in their last 47 matches at the Etihad (W39, D8) while also winning all their four (4) EPL games this season. | Main Market: = Home (1x2 - Early Pay-out) = 1.86

Arsenal, unbeaten in all competitions so far, has been a thorn in City’s side in recent times with City failing to score in their last 3 encounters with Arsenal, losing twice (1-0 and the other on penalties) and drawing once. | Specials Market: Draw/Away & Under 3.5 = 2.39

The last two (2) meetings between Man City and Arsenal have been low-scoring with under 1.5 goals happening in all two (0-0, 1-0), while Arsenal have played under 2.5 in all their last 5 games in all competitions with City playing it twice in their last 5 games. | Main Market: GG (No) = 1.85

Both teams are set to put their unbeaten records on the line in what promises to be an early test of title credentials and intentions ahead of a long season that is just beginning.

You can follow and bet on the EPL game, Man City vs Arsenal, on MSport here.