Fulham vs Liverpool tips and predictions: Trophy-starved Cottagers looking to deny Reds quadruple

Seb Sternik
23 January 2024

A place in the Carabao Cup final will be on the line when Fulham and Liverpool clash at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night (2000 GMT).

Despite being around for 145 years, Fulham have not been blessed with silverware. In fact, you could argue that the club are yet to win a single major honour.

Their sole FA Cup final appearance in 1975 ended in tears as West Ham won the match 2-0.

Their sole continental final took place in 2010, though that also ended in disappointment as Diego Forlan bagged an extra time goal to seal the Europa League crown for Atletico Madrid.

In terms of league successes, Fulham won the second division/Championship on three occasions. They’ve also won the play-offs twice.

That’s about it.

While most will see this game as an opportunity for Liverpool to remain on an unprecedented quadruple path, you can’t underestimate how huge this opportunity is for Fulham and their trophy-starved fans.

The Cottagers are essentially two matches away from getting their hands on a shiny pot, and getting one over against Liverpool is doable.

Fulham have won five of their last six games at home – a run which includes victories over Arsenal and West Ham.

Marco Silva’s men have also scored 16 goals across those six matches, proving they are certainly not goal-shy when it comes to the home comforts of Craven Cottage.

Liverpool have won their last three matches against Fulham, though all three have taken place at Anfield. When it comes to away games, the Reds are winless in two.

You must also consider injuries, AFCON absentees and priorities. Liverpool are somewhat stretched for options, and they will be determined to avoid adding to their injury list before a crunch Premier League clash with Chelsea at the end of the month.

Make no bones about it, Liverpool are favourites to progress. They’re in that position for a reason.

But then again, they don’t call it ‘the magic of the cup’ for nothing. Surprises happen and we’re backing Fulham to pull one off this Wednesday night.

The hosts to overturn their 2-1 deficit and win the tie is our recommendation. Over 2.5 goals in the fixture is another top tip.

Team news

Adama Traore is the sole injury worry for Fulham. Calvin Bassey, Fode Ballo-Toure and Alex Iwobi are also out on international duty.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are without Joel Matip, Stefan Bajcetic, Thiago Alcantara, Mo Salah, Konstantinos Tsimikas, Andrew Robertson, Dominik Szoboszlai and Trent Alexander-Arnold.