Liverpool return to Anfield desperately needing a response after a dismal run of results that has seen them lose four of their last five matches in all competitions their only win in that stretch coming in the UEFA Champions League away to Eintracht Frankfurt, Softfootball reports.

The Reds’ defensive frailties have been exposed in recent weeks, with costly lapses leading to goals conceded at crucial moments. However, the Carabao Cup presents a chance to steady the ship and restore confidence within Arne Slot’s side.

Liverpool have traditionally thrived in this competition, having progressed from 12 of their last 14 ties against Premier League opposition, and their record at Anfield in domestic cup games remains one of the best in England.

On the other hand, Crystal Palace head into this tie looking to bounce back from a narrow 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at the weekend in the Premier League. Despite their recent struggles in the league with no wins in their last four matches, Oliver Glasner’s men have shown resilience and tactical discipline against bigger sides.

Palace famously defeated Liverpool in their last league meeting and will see this as another opportunity to upset the odds. Their ability to stay compact and hit on the counter could make them a tricky opponent for a Liverpool side low on confidence and struggling to keep clean sheets.

Team News

Liverpool are still without first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker, while young defender Giovanni Leoni remains sidelined with a long-term ACL injury. Midfielders Ryan Gravenberch and Alexander Isak are both doubtful for this clash, and Arne Slot is unlikely to risk either player given the congested fixture schedule ahead.

Playing in the fourth round of the Carabao cup will allow Liverpool to give opportunities to academy players to gain valuable experience. Freddie woodman who is expected to start in goal for the reds tomorrow in Spoke to the Liverpool media via the team’s official X handle, on his journey and how it feels for him to wear and fight the Liverpool badge. They posted:

"Really excited for the opportunity that could come." pic.twitter.com/Q8giCgoeBS

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 28, 2025

The Dutch manager is expected to rotate his side, handing opportunities to fringe players and youngsters such as freddie woodman and Rio Ngumoha to impress. Slot will be eager for a strong response from his squad as they look to rediscover their rhythm and confidence after a difficult few weeks.

Crystal Palace, on the other hand, have fewer injury concerns. Cheick Doucouré and Chadi Riad are unavailable, but Glasner is expected to field a strong lineup. With players like Nketiah and Yaser Asprilla showing flashes of form, the Eagles will look to test Liverpool’s backline early and capitalize on any defensive errors.

Possible Lineups

Liverpool possible starting lineup:

Woodman; Ramsay, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Mac Allister; Chiesa, Szoboszlai, Ngumoha; Ekitike

Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:

Benitez; Canvot, Lacroix, Guehi; Clyne, Lerma, Hughes, Sosa; Esse, Devenny; Nketiah

Crystal palace have beaten Liverpool once earlier this season at Anfield in dramatic late 3-2 win.The team via its official X handle, posted highlights from that huge win as they hope for similar outcome in tomorrow’s fourth round matchup. Watch video below:

Relive THAT Eddie Nketiah goal against Liverpool pic.twitter.com/QZgDYXiSIY

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) October 28, 2025

SoftFootball Prediction

This Carabao Cup clash promises to be tightly contested. Liverpool will be under pressure to deliver a performance in front of the anfield supporters, after a rough spell that has shaken confidence in the squad. Palace, meanwhile, will see this as a free hit, an opportunity to continue their solid record against the Reds and advance further in the competition.

While Liverpool’s attacking depth could make the difference late on, Palace’s compactness and counter-attacking threat suggest the visitors won’t make things easy. Expect a evenly contested matchup, with moments of quality deciding the outcome.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Crystal Palace

Wolverhampton Wanderers welcome Chelsea to Molineux on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, for a tense EFL Cup fourth-round showdown. Both sides need this one badly, not just for progress, but for confidence.

Wolves, led by Vitor Pereira, are struggling to find rhythm. They’ve gone five league games without a win, including that painful 3–2 loss to Burnley last weekend. Still, they’ve looked sharper in cup action, knocking out Everton 2–0 in the previous round.

For Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea, the mood isn’t exactly calm either. Their 2–1 defeat to Sunderland ended a four-match winning streak and exposed a few cracks. The Londoners will be eager to set things right and continue their recent good run against Wolves, having won the last two meetings between the sides.

Team News

Wolves have only one absentee: Leon Chiwome, still recovering from a knee injury. Pereira otherwise has a full squad to choose from. Expect Jorgen Strand Larsen, Hwang Hee-chan, and Marshall Munetsi to start, especially with Larsen scoring in both of Wolves’ Carabao Cup games so far.

Chelsea’s injury list remains a concern. Cole Palmer (groin) and Levi Colwill (ACL) are still out long-term, while Dario Essugo and Benoît Badiashile are sidelined too. However, Liam Delap is back in full training after two months out, even though he might not be fit enough for the full 90. Chelsea even uploaded a welcome video of the striker joining back the fold on their official X account.

Watch the video below:

Welcome back! @BingXOfficial | #TrainingInsider pic.twitter.com/1vE05Xn0k4

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 28, 2025

Malo Gusto returns from suspension and should slot straight in. Maresca hinted that Joao Pedro, Moises Caicedo, and Enzo Fernández are managing small knocks, so at least one of them could be rested. Also, Alejandro Garnacho is another player that will be looking to make an impact either from the starting XI or from the bench. In an earlier report by Softfootball, the Argentine revealed why he joined Chelsea and how important Enzo Maresca was to making the deal happen.

Possible Lineups

Wolves (4-3-3):
Johnstone; Hoever, S Bueno, Krejci, H Bueno; Munetsi, Gomes, Andre; Arias, Larsen, Hwang

Chelsea (4-2-3-1):
Jorgensen; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Hato; Lavia, Santos; Gittens, Estevao, Garnacho; George

Maresca is expected to shuffle things a bit, giving his young players another chance to shine. Garnacho, fresh off his first Chelsea goal, is likely to start again.

Softfootball’s Prediction

This could be a tighter affair than expected. Wolves at home are tricky, and with their attacking trio regaining sharpness, they’ll definitely test Chelsea’s back line. But the Blues’ depth and pace on the counter might just make the difference.

Prediction: Wolves 1–2 Chelsea

Chelsea should edge this one, not without a few scares, and book their spot in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

Liverpool’s Carabao Cup fourth-round clash against Crystal Palace on Wednesday might be just another fixture on paper, but Softfootball understands that for Freddie Woodman, it’s a night that could mean everything.

The 28-year-old goalkeeper, signed on a free from Preston North End, is expected to make his competitive debut for Liverpool, stepping in while Alisson Becker recovers from a hamstring injury. For most players, that’s a massive occasion already. For Woodman, it’s personal.

Born and raised in south London, Woodman grew up a passionate Crystal Palace fan. His earliest memories of football are tied to Selhurst Park; he was once a ballboy there, even a mascot. His father, Andy Woodman, also played for the Eagles, which made the family’s connection to the club even deeper. He revealed this in an interview he granted, which was uploaded via the club’s official X account.

He said:

I got into football quite late really in terms of the playing side of things, Obviously I watched my dad [former professional goalkeeper Andy] growing up but I just played a little bit here and there.

It was completely random how it happened for me, really. I was at secondary school and we used to rotate the team around. It was my turn to go in goal one day and I had a teacher at the time, Mr Bruce, who was a coach for Crystal Palace. After the session, he came up to me and said he wanted me to go down to Crystal Palace Park, where the academy set-up was based, that evening and take a trial. And that’s where it all started for me.

I used to go down to Selhurst with my grandad as he had a season ticket down there. I was a ballboy a few times and also a mascot and I just used to love it. Being a south London lad, being a Crystal Palace fan was just born into me really.

Now, fate brings him full circle. Standing between the posts at Anfield, facing the very club where it all started, it’s the sort of story football writes when it wants to remind us that dreams and destiny still matter.

Watch the interview video:

"Really excited for the opportunity that could come." pic.twitter.com/Q8giCgoeBS

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 28, 2025

Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who’s been under serious pressure after four straight Premier League defeats following their 3-2 defeat to Brentford, is expected to rotate his squad. That means Woodman could finally get his long-awaited chance to prove himself under the lights, an opportunity the midfielder can’t wait to fully grasp, as he revealed further in his interview.

He said:

Any time I get to pull on the jersey for this club, whether it be a pre-season game or whatever competition, I’ll always just try to do my best and enjoy the moment, because I’ve spent a lot of time playing in the Championship, and so to play for a club with this history is pretty special.

It’s clear that this club takes the competition seriously, like it does every competition. When you get to the latter stages, you go to Wembley, and you see how important it is to the fans.

We train in the goalkeeping area at the AXA Training Centre, and I regularly see the photo of Caoimhin Kelleher on the wall after his success in the recent finals, and that’s how important it is. You can really write yourself into history if you win trophies at this club, so I know how important it is, and the club recognises how important this competition is too.

For Liverpool it is not just another cup tie; it’s a chance for them to gather themselves again. Just like Virgil van Dijk revealed in a previous interview, it is a time for the club to sit back and reflect. While for Woodman, it’s a reunion, a memory, and maybe even a redemption rolled into one night at Anfield, a debut written with heart, history, and a touch of home.

Arsenal face Brighton at the Emirates on Tuesday night in the Carabao Cup fourth round, and it’s coming at a tricky time for Mikel Arteta’s side. The Gunners are unbeaten in ten matches and flying high in the Premier League, but the squad’s looking thinner than he’d like right now.

Their recent 1–0 win over Crystal Palace, which Softfootball described as a grind that champions find a way to win, summed up their character this season. Arsenal looked composed, even with several key absentees. Brighton, though, come into this tie licking their wounds after a 4–2 defeat at Old Trafford in a night where Softfootball highlighted Bruno Fernandes’ class in his 300th United appearance.

Team News

Arsenal’s injury list keeps growing. Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, and Gabriel Jesus are all out with mostly knee or ligament issues, and Jurriën Timber might not make it either. Truth be told, that’s a big blow for Arteta, but he’s managed worse. His team have kept five clean sheets in a row, showing just how organised they have become.

Expect Kepa Arrizabalaga to stay in goal behind Ben White, Christian Mosquera, Piero Hincapie, and 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly. Norgaard will anchor midfield with Eze and Merino. Up front, Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard, and Viktor Gyökeres should lead the attack.

Brighton aren’t in perfect shape either. Adam Webster, Solly March, and Jack Hinshelwood are long-term absentees, while doubts remain over Kaoru Mitoma, Joel Veltman, and Diego Gómez. Fabian Hurzeler might stick with Simon Adingra, Georginio Rutter, and Danny Welbeck, who’s always up for a big night in North London.

Possible Lineups

Arsenal (4-3-3): Kepa; White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly; Eze, Norgaard, Merino; Nwaneri, Gyokeres, Trossard.
Brighton (4-2-3-1): Steele; Wieffer, Dunk, Boscagli, De Cuyper; Milner, Ayari; Gomez, Rutter, Minteh; Welbeck.

Arsenal, via their official X account, posted Eberechi Eze’s first Premier League goal for Arsenal, a stunning volley against his former club Crystal Palace which marked a significant moment in Arsenal’s 1-0 victory, extending their unbeaten run to seven matches and securing their 700th Premier League win.

Watch the video below:

Ebere Eze's first Premier League goal for The Arsenal: The Director's Cut pic.twitter.com/ZOJDYclWnZ

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 27, 2025

Softfootball’s Prediction

There’s a sense this could go either way. Brighton have hit some wild form in the cup—those back-to-back 6–0 wins show their depth—but Arsenal at home are a different animal. They have got structure, patience, and that bit of swagger you only get from an unbeaten run.

Prediction: Arsenal 2–1 Brighton.

Wycombe Wanderers head into this Carabao Cup fourth-round clash at Adams Park in confident mood. The Chairboys are unbeaten in their last four matches across all competitions, including a commanding 3-0 victory over Huddersfield at the weekend, a result that has revived belief among their supporters, Softfootball reports.

That run has come at the perfect time as they prepare to face Premier League opposition, with the club eyeing a first quarter-final appearance in nearly two decades. Manager Michael Duff’s men have been well-drilled defensively and increasingly efficient in front of goal, setting the tone for what could be a memorable night in Buckinghamshire.

Still, Wycombe know the magnitude of the challenge. Despite their encouraging momentum, the gulf in quality remains vast. Fulham’s top-flight pedigree and squad depth mean any lapse in concentration could prove costly.

The hosts are expected to rely heavily on quick transitions and set-pieces to threaten the visitors, hoping to channel the spirit of the cup and deliver a shock result against a side desperate to rediscover form.

In what is going to be one of their biggest match in recent history, Wycombe Wanderers FC via its official X handle, posted the gaffer’s take on what to expect from premier league Fulham, fans will be hoping the team can cause a huge upset. They posted:

Full focus on Fulham

Hear what the gaffer had to say ahead of tomorrow's Carabao Cup clash pic.twitter.com/utVUA9F6Rj

— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) October 27, 2025

Fulham arrive at Adams Park under growing pressure following a miserable Premier League run that has seen them lose five consecutive league games, including a narrow 1-0 defeat to Arsenal during that stretch. The Cottagers have struggled for creativity and confidence in recent weeks, scoring just twice in those five outings while conceding nine times.

For manager Marco Silva, this Carabao Cup tie represents more than just progression, it’s a much-needed chance to reset morale and remind fans of the team’s potential after a worrying dip in domestic form.

Despite their struggles, Fulham have shown glimpses of promise in the cup, comfortably defeating Bristol City and Cambridge United in earlier rounds. The Portuguese boss is likely to name a stronger-than-expected lineup as he seeks a response from his side.

They’ll need to start fast, dominate possession, and avoid the sluggish play that has plagued them recently. Anything less than a professional performance could see Wycombe sense weakness and pounce on the Premier League side’s frailties.

Fulham’s coach Marco Silva spoke to the media ahead of the fourth round tie tomorrow, which was shared via the club’s official X handle. Watch the video below:

Marco previews tomorrow's #CarabaoCup Fourth Round.

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) October 27, 2025

Team News

Wycombe Wanderers are expected to stick with the core of the team that produced their recent unbeaten run. With no major injury concerns reported, Michael Duff could name a similar XI to the one that dispatched Huddersfield. Attacking options like Dale Taylor and Luke Leahy are likely to feature prominently as Wycombe look to maintain their positive rhythm.

Ahead of the game, Wycombe wanderers via its official X handle, shared an exclusive highlight video containing some of the most remarkable upset the club has had against premier league oppositions, fans and players will be excited and hoping one of this happens in tomorrow’s clash. Watch video below:

It could be one of those nights.

Our cup adventure continues at Adams Park against Fulham on Tuesday evening.

Come on Wycombe! pic.twitter.com/VEf6kiywwK

— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) October 27, 2025

Fulham, meanwhile, remain without key players including Antonee Robinson and Joachim Andersen, while Rodrigo Muniz faces a late fitness test. Marco Silva may rotate slightly but will keep several first-team regulars involved to ensure control and stability. Notably, Alex Iwobi, who recently reached a milestone 300 Premier League appearances, is also in contention to start. The Nigerian international could provide much-needed creativity in Fulham’s attack, players like Harrison Reed and Adama Traoré could also get valuable minutes.

Possible Lineups

Wycombe Wanderers (4-3-3): Norris; Harvie, Grimmer, Allen, Leahy; Henderson, Taylor, Lowry; Bell, Woodrow, Onyedinma

Fulham FC (4-2-3-1): Lecomte; Castagne, Diop, Cuenca, Sessegnon; Reed, Berge; Smith-Rowe, Traoré, Jiménez; Óliver

SoftFootball Prediction

Wycombe’s strong home form and fearlessness make them dangerous underdogs, but Fulham’s superior individual quality should eventually tell. That said, the Premier League side’s fragile confidence adds a layer of intrigue, and an early goal for the hosts could turn this into a real battle.

Prediction: Wycombe Wanderers 1–3 Fulham FC

Premier league outfit, Brentford to travel to face Grimsby Town at Blundell Park in the fourth round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday, Softfootball reports.

The Bees, who defeated Liverpool 3-2 at the weekend must be wary of their giant-killing opponents after they eliminated Manchester United and Sheffield Wednesday before reaching this round of 16.

Grimsby are unsurprisingly very excited by this fixture as they have advertised on their official X handle ahead of the match with a quarter-final place at stake.

Next Up: Brentford (H)

Our journey in the Carabao Cup continues under the Blundell Park lights! #GTFC pic.twitter.com/k1Dikoa5sM

— Grimsby Town F.C. (@officialgtfc) October 27, 2025

Head-to-Head

They have faced each other 59 times with Grimsby Town winning 30 of the matches while Brentford won 25 and four ended in a draw.

Star player

Fabio Carvalho is not a regular starter for Brentford in the premier league but he is always given the nod in Carabao Cup matches and he is the star of the show and even scored in the last round. Brentford will be banking on him to seal a quarter-final spot.

Grimsby Town play more as a unit and have no star players as they all work hard for each other and fight for everything because they know they have nothing to lose especially against top premier league oppositions.

Team News

Doug Tharme and Cameron Gardner are still sidelined by injuries for Grimsby Town. Jaze Kabia wand Jamie Walker are expected to be the front two for the home side.

Charles Vernam, who got on the scoresheet in their win over Manchester United and boasts five goals and five assists in league action this season is expected o start while Kieran Green and George McEachran are certain for a midfield role.

For Brentford, Keith Andrews may opt to rotations his squad with Josh Dasilva, Aaron Hickey and Antoni Milambo confined to the treatment room. Yehor Yarmolyuk is doubtful for the encounter. So, there might be starting roles in midfield for Frank Onyeka and Vitaly Janelt.

Also, Keane Lewis-Potter, Fabio Carvalho and Reiss Nelson could start against Grimsby, allowing the manager to rest key man Dango Ouattara, Igor Thiago and Kevin Schade.

Grimsby Town probable XI:

Pym; Rodgers, Warren, McJannet, Sweeney; McEachran, Green; Amaluzor, Walker, Vernam; Kabia

Brentford probable XI:

Valdimarsson; Kayode, Pinnock, Ajer, Henry; Janelt, Onyeka, Jensen; Lewis-Potter, Lewis-Potter, Carvalho

Softfootball prediction

The journey may end for Grimsby at this stage of the competition as Brentford are a very good team and with premier league experience, they are overwhelming favourites. Grimsby 1- 3 Brentford.