Liverpool vs Chelsea 28.10.2026: Prediction, Betting Tips and Match Preview

Liverpool are gathering momentum again, but the calendar refuses to let up, throwing one brutal test after another at the Merseysiders. Iraola's team have won four consecutive competitive fixtures, most recently dispatching an in-form Brighton side without conceding. Chelsea's mood could hardly be more different: a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Tottenham interrupted their promising run, and Palmer's second-half dismissal leaves Alonso without his chief creative spark.

Liverpool: bouncing back from the knockdown

The 3-0 humbling at the hands of Manchester City could have knocked Liverpool off course, but the response has been emphatic. In the Champions League, the Reds produced a remarkable comeback, fighting back from two goals down to beat Villarreal 4-3. Back in the Premier League, they needed far less drama, easing past Brighton 2-0. What will please the coaching staff most is the strength in depth on display. Six changes were made for the European tie, while the previous round of the League Cup saw ten alterations - and Liverpool still swept past Tottenham 3-1.

With an away league match against Arsenal looming on Sunday, significant rotation before this cup tie is almost unavoidable. Bradley and Ekiti... are still on the long road back from injury, Leoni has yet to return from a serious knee problem, and Frimpong, nursing a muscle issue, is unlikely to feature before the November international break. Munoz, who took a knock to his knee, remains a doubt, as does Szoboszlai, who has been training individually but had not rejoined the main group by the end of the week. The attacking options are deep enough for Iraola to leave some key men on the bench, and the victory over Tottenham showed that a youthful cup side is no reason to write Liverpool off.

Chelsea: a double blow to their creativity

Up until Saturday, Chelsea looked as though they had finally found the right rhythm. After the sparkling 5-1 win over Bournemouth, the Londoners recorded their first away clean-sheet victory over Everton in a long time, winning 2-0. But the derby with Tottenham reminded everyone of this side's persistent inconsistency. The contest was largely even until the 77th minute, when Penders turned the ball into his own net. Palmer then picked up a second yellow card, and Spurs wrapped up the contest against ten men with a late second goal.

The squad situation does not favour the Blues either. Palmer is suspended for the cup match, while Joao Pedro suffered what appears to be a muscle injury in Friday's training session and is awaiting a precise diagnosis. Emiliano Martinez is out for several weeks after jaw surgery, and Reece James is still recovering from a knee operation. Those are only the headliners among a lengthy list of absentees. Alonso, therefore, must once again turn to his reserves. The previous round nearly ended in embarrassment: Chelsea trailed Leeds 2-0 and were rescued only by the introduction of senior players like Palmer, Neto, James, and Rogers. This time, at least two of those saviours will not even be on the bench.

Predicted lineups

Liverpool (4-2-3-1):

• Mamardashvili
• Gomez, Araujo, Jaquet, Tsimikas
• Mac Allister, Nyon
• Ngumoha, McConnell, Barcola
• Kumas

Unavailable: Bradley, Ekiti..., Frimpong, Leoni (all injured); Munoz, Szoboszlai, Wirtz (all doubtful)

Head coach: Andoni Iraola

Chelsea (3-4-3):

• Penders
• Achimpong, Fofana, Colwill
• Gusto, Barco, Lavia, Hato
• Estevao, Welbeck, Kenda

Unavailable: Palmer (suspended); Martinez, James, Gittens, Emegha (all injured); Joao Pedro, Chavarria (both doubtful)

Head coach: Xabi Alonso

Prediction and bet

The betting line for this one is intriguing: Liverpool are only slight favourites despite Chelsea arriving at Anfield immediately after a painful defeat, without Palmer and with serious question marks over Joao Pedro's fitness. Liverpool, by contrast, have won four games in a row and have already demonstrated they can beat a strong opponent virtually with a second-string eleven, as they did against Tottenham in the previous round. Yes, the hosts are likely to rest several regulars with Arsenal in mind, but Alonso is equally constrained by his own fixture mess: Manchester United await in three days. Taking all that into account, backing a Liverpool victory at odds of 2.36 looks like the sensible play.

As for goals, Liverpool's only cup tie this season ended 3-1, while Chelsea's previous round saw them beat Leeds 6-3 in a tennis-like scoreline. Goals have been a recurring theme for both sides: at least four have been scored in two of Liverpool's last four matches and in five of Chelsea's preceding ten. Neither side looks particularly solid without the ball, so the prospect of a high-scoring game after the first goal is far from remote. At odds above 2.00, the risk feels justified. The pick is over 3.5 total goals at 2.15.