EFL Cup Predictions and Picks

Our EFL Cup predictions cover selected games from the 2026-27 competition, which ESPN lists as the Carabao Cup, and each one names our pick for the game. Eight are published so far, all from the third round, by Keylor Santos, Mario Vega and Mateo Herrera.

The third round is done. The fourth round has eight games from 27 to 29 October, and Manchester City, who won the final in March, play Brighton & Hove Albion.

Latest EFL Cup predictions

Newest first, by game date. All eight games have been played.

Norwich City at Manchester City, 17 September 2026
Tottenham Hotspur at Liverpool, 15 September 2026
Arsenal at Ipswich Town, 15 September 2026
Brentford at Reading, 15 September 2026
Fulham at West Ham United, 15 September 2026
Barnsley at Peterborough United, 15 September 2026
Newcastle United at Millwall, 8 September 2026
Bradford City at Leyton Orient, 8 September 2026

EFL Cup right now

The third round ran from 8 to 17 September, 16 games in all. Chelsea’s 6-3 win over Leeds United on 9 September had the most goals, and one tie went to penalties: Peterborough United and Barnsley were 3-3, and Peterborough won the shootout 7-6.

The fourth round, from ESPN’s schedule, read 23 September 2026:

Peterborough United at Bradford City, 27 October
Arsenal at Fleetwood Town, 27 October
Brighton & Hove Albion at Manchester City, 28 October
Aston Villa at AFC Bournemouth, 28 October
Crystal Palace at Fulham, 28 October
Brentford at Sunderland, 28 October
Chelsea at Liverpool, 28 October
Newcastle United at Everton, 29 October

ESPN’s calendar puts the quarterfinals between 3 November and 28 December.

Last season

Manchester City beat Arsenal 2-0 in the 2025-26 final at Wembley Stadium on 22 March 2026.

Both finalists are in the fourth round again. Arsenal won 4-2 at Ipswich Town on 15 September, and City beat Norwich City 5-0 two days later.

How EFL Cup betting works here

Each tie in the third and fourth rounds is one game; last season’s semifinals were played over two legs. The three-way moneyline is home win, draw or away win, settled on the score after 90 minutes plus stoppage time. A draw still happens in a cup game: Peterborough and Barnsley’s 3-3 on 15 September paid the draw, whoever then won the shootout.

That is why the “to qualify” market exists. It is on which club goes into the next round, counting the shootout. On that night a bet on Peterborough to win in 90 minutes lost, and a bet on Peterborough to qualify won.

The Asian handicap takes the draw away: at -1.5 the favorite must win by two or more, and at -1 a one-goal win refunds your stake. The total is the number of goals in the 90 minutes, over or under a line such as 2.5. Chelsea and Leeds went over 8.5.

EFL Cup clubs with a team page

From this year’s fourth round:

Premier League: Arsenal, Aston Villa, AFC Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, Newcastle United, Sunderland
Other clubs: Bradford City, Fleetwood Town, Peterborough United

The soccer predictions hub leads to the rest of our soccer coverage, including the Champions League. If you are choosing a paid picks service, read our handicapper site reviews first.

EFL Cup prediction FAQ

Do you publish a prediction for every EFL Cup game? No. We publish predictions for selected games; eight from the third round have one so far.

When is the fourth round? From 27 to 29 October 2026, eight games, starting with Peterborough United at Bradford City and Arsenal at Fleetwood Town.

What happens if a tie is level after 90 minutes? In this season’s third round it went to penalties: Peterborough United and Barnsley were 3-3 at full time, and Peterborough won the shootout 7-6.

Who won the EFL Cup last season? Manchester City, 2-0 against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on 22 March 2026.

Does a 90-minute bet count the shootout? No. A three-way moneyline, handicap or total bet settles on the 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Only a “to qualify” bet counts the shootout.