Wednesday's EFL Cup predictions including Southampton vs. Liverpool

Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace (Wednesday, 7.30pm)

The first match in an Arsenal-Crystal Palace double header, the two London rivals cross paths at the Emirates on Wednesday evening, when a place in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup is at stake.

Only the Eagles emerged triumphant from their last Premier League battle, though, easing past M23 rivals Brighton & Hove Albion 3-1 while the Gunners laboured to a goalless draw with Everton.

We say: Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

Palace boss Glasner has not been afraid to put out his best XI in the EFL Cup with no European commitments to attend to, and a settled Eagles side can frustrate an Arsenal team whose toothless ways have returned.

However, the visitors still have a Premier League promotion scrap to prioritise, and even it is from one of their trusty set-pieces, we still back Arsenal to get the all-important goal required to book their semi-final ticket.

> Two former Gunners to start? Crystal Palace predicted XI against Arsenal

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> New concern for Arteta? Arsenal injury list for Crystal Palace clash

Newcastle vs. Brentford (Wednesday, 7.45pm)

Newcastle United welcome Brentford to St James' Park in the EFL Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday.

It is not even two weeks since the Bees beat Newcastle 4-2 at the Gtech in the Premier League, but there were differing fortunes for them both over the weekend.

We say: Newcastle United 2-0 Brentford

This competition has proven to be Howe's forte at Newcastle, and a slightly favourable draw should see them reach just a third EFL Cup semi-final.

With only three wins on the road in 13 months against Premier League opposition, Brentford will need to sort out their away day blues here if they are to replicate the fine win they enjoyed against Newcastle less than two weeks ago.

Southampton vs. Liverpool (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

Life after Russell Martin will begin for Southampton when they welcome Liverpool to St Mary's in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup on Wednesday.

Martin was sacked after a chastening 5-0 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday, with Simon Rusk taking interim charge for the time being.

We say: Southampton 1-4 Liverpool

The hosts will hope for a bounce following the dismissal of Martin, but they could not have asked for a more difficult opponent, and even though Slot may rotate again, Liverpool should have more than enough to seal a comfortable win.

Goals should be on the menu too, with the five scored in the league meeting last month taking the tally in this fixture to 48 in the 14 head-to-heads at St Mary's since Southampton's promotion in 2012.

> Will Slot hand Salah, Van Dijk a rest? Liverpool predicted lineup vs. Southampton

> Interim boss to go full-strength? Southampton predicted lineup vs. Liverpool

> Slot's left-back crisis: Liverpool injury, suspension list for Southampton clash

> Mohamed Salah's record vs. Southampton

Written by

Oliver Thomas