EFL Cup betting tips: Predictions and odds for the last 16
A repeat of last year’s EFL Cup final between Newcastle and Manchester United is the tie of the round with the clash at St James’ Park and the London derby between West Ham and Arsenal chosen for television coverage.
Away from those games, there’s the potential for upsets when Championship duo Blackburn and Ipswich face off against struggling Premier League pair Chelsea and Fulham.
We've been through the non-televised games on football betting sites to pick out our favourite bets from the round of 16, starting with the clash featuring the lowest ranked side left in the competition.
Mansfield vs Port Vale predictions
(7.45pm, Tuesday)
The last time Mansfield and Port Vale met it was in last season’s League Two play-off final with the Valiants running out convincing 3-0 winners at Wembley.
After making a good start to life back in the third tier, the wheels have come off Port Vale’s season and they are without a league win since mid-September.
The Valiants have failed to score in five of their seven games since an unconvincing win over Sutton in the last round of the EFL Cup and that lack of goals could spell trouble at in-form Mansfield.
The Stags are yet to lose this season in any competition and Nigel Clough’s team head into this clash having won four on the spin.
They’ve already knocked out Championship side Sheffield Wednesday and Peterborough from League One in the EFL Cup and having struggled to score goals earlier in the season, they now appear to have found their scoring touch.
Mansfield have netted four in two of their last three games, although one may be enough to see off shot-shy port Vale at 11/10 with 10Bet.
Chelsea vs Blackburn predictions
(7.45pm, Wednesday)
Just when Chelsea think they are getting somewhere after a four-game unbeaten run and some positive displays, they go and slip up at home to Brentford.
The 2-0 defeat to the Bees last weekend continued a recent trend of the Blues struggling to get wins at Stamford Bridge and a home tie with Blackburn in the last 16 is no formality.
Rovers won away at West Ham on penalties in the EFL Cup last season and they’ve also come out on top in their last two away games in the Championship, both in London, against Millwall and QPR.
Jon Dahl Tomasson’s men were beaten by Swansea 1-0 at the weekend but were guilty of missing several good chances and they may get back to goalscoring form at Chelsea having netted in eight of their previous nine outings.
Chelsea had similar troubles in front of goal against Brentford when registering 1.79 expected goals but ultimately drawing a blank. They’ll get chances to rectify that against Blackburn, who have a below-average Championship defence.
With no Europe to distract them, this is a competition the Blues can really go for and Mauricio Pochettino should field a strong team to make sure they don’t slip up.
Chelsea should justify their status as favourites with new betting sites to win this game, but Blackburn have the potential to make the five-time EFL Cup winners sweat just a little by scoring.
Everton vs Burnley predictions
(7.45pm, Wednesday)
Everton’s season may have turned a corner after four wins from the last six games in all competitions, most recently getting the better of West Ham 1-0 away from home.
Sean Dyche’s men produced an astute, disciplined performance at the London Stadium with Dominic Calvert-Lewin bagging a well-deserved winner.
They now return to Goodison Park for a first home EFL Cup tie since 2020 and are a strong option at 21/20 with BetGoodwin to see off Burnley.
Dyche has gone with relatively strong teams in previous rounds, while his opposite number Vincent Kompany has been more inclined to rotate.
That’s worked so far for the Clarets but they make far too many mistakes to trust in a meeting with an improving Everton team.
Only Sheffield United (29) have conceded more Premier League goals than Burnley (25) this season and Kompany’s men could do without this distraction as they try and stay afloat in the top flight.
Ipswich vs Fulham predictions
(7.45pm, Wednesday)
Ipswich are storming towards another promotion, moving nine points clear of the Championship play-off places in second with four straight wins.
Kieran McKenna’s team are the joint-highest scorers in the second tier but they’ve needed to be sharp in front of goal given their defensive issues, particularly at home.
Only QPR (14) have conceded more home goals in the Championship than Ipswich (13), who also shipped two in their EFL Cup last 32 win over Wolves.
The Tractor Boys were 2-0 down before turning the tie around and are tough to trust against Fulham with McKenna likely to make changes.
Cottagers boss Marco Silva has fielded pretty strong sides in the last two rounds of the cup and they head to Portman Road after a decent showing in a 1-1 draw with Brighton.
Goals have not come easily to Fulham at times this season but in what’s likely to be an open tie, there’s an opportunity to find their range against an Ipswich side that’s conceded two or more in six of the last seven at home.
If you wish to back any of our EFL Cup best bets, check out these betting sites, many of who have free bet offers for new customers.
Chris is an experienced sports betting writer who has worked with most major bookmakers and national media outlets, such as Racing Post and ITN. He covers a wide range of sports with his favourites being NFL, rugby, football and Formula 1.
