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

Arsenal are now four points ahead of the nearest rival in the Premier League title race – it happens to be Bournemouth – having beaten Crystal Palace 1-0 at the Emirates on Sunday. Palace fans won’t be happy that the man who scored Arsenal’s winner, in a top manner at that, is their former star […]

The post Eberechi Eze scores against former club as Arsenal beat Crystal Palace to extend Premier League lead (Video) appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Eberechi Eze scores against former club as Arsenal beat Crystal Palace to extend Premier League lead (Video) appeared first on Soccer News.

Eberechi Eze was the hero for Arsenal in the premier league match-day 9 as he scored the winner against his former side Crystal Palace at the Emirates to help the North London side record its 700th win in the competition, Softfootball reports.

The Gunners thrashed Laliga giants Atletico Madrid 4-0 in midweek and followed it up with a 1-0 win over the Eagles which gives them a four points lead ontop of the table following defeats for Manchester City and Liverpool this weekend.

Arsenal celebrated the hard-earned win via their official X handle as it gives them a considerable lead on table of the table.

One-nil to The Arsenal pic.twitter.com/uooGOkYjsn

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 26, 2025

Eze moved to the Emirates for £67m in the summer and has already integrated with his new teammates. His first half goal came from another trademark Arsenal set-piece. Former West Ham Captain, Declan Rice curled a free-kick into the area which was knocked down by Gabriel before Eze finished acrobatically.

The Eagles, who lost to AEK Larnaca on Thursday night pushed for the equalizer with Jean-Philippe Mateta battling against the solid Arsenal defence but the Gunners stayed solid as David Raya in goal kept another clean sheet this season.

Arsenal celebrated their 700th premier league win in the premier league via their official X handle.

Celebrating another massive club milestone – together pic.twitter.com/uShEfgQaOR

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 26, 2025

However, at the other side of the pitch Arsenal nearly doubled their lead in the second half when Gabriel hit the crossbar with a powerful header before England international, Bukayo Saka curled an effort from the edge of the penalty area but it went off target.

Arsenal held on for the all important three points. The Gunners are now unbeaten in 10 matches in all competitions. The North London side are top of the table with 22 points followed by Bournemouth with 18 points while Crystal Palace sit 10th with 13 points.

Premier League leaders Arsenal host Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, 26 October 2025, for a London derby that promises fireworks. The Gunners, under Mikel Arteta, have made a blistering start to the campaign, winning six of eight of their opening league matches and extending their dominance in Europe with a 4–0 thrashing of Atlético Madrid in midweek.

In that victory, Gabriel Magalhães opened the scoring, and Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres was again decisive—a performance that led Ole Gunnar Solskjær to hail him as Arsenal’s fox in the box, as reported by Softfootball. That triumph also marked Arsenal’s 100th UEFA Champions League win—a milestone Softfootball described as a statement of power and precision.

Arsenal, via their official YouTube account, posted Mikel Arteta’s pre-match press conference for their upcoming Premier League clash with Crystal Palace, highlighting his focus on maintaining a defensive record of just three goals conceded in 12 games.

Watch the video below:

Confidence is sky-high in north London, but Arteta will demand focus against a Palace side capable of springing surprises. The Eagles, led by Oliver Glasner, have shown flashes of brilliance — notably Jean-Philippe Mateta’s hat-trick against Bournemouth — yet their form remains inconsistent with just one win from their last five outings.

Team News

For Arsenal, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Noni Madueke remain long-term absentees. Magalhães is a doubt after limping off against Atlético, while Jurriën Timber and Riccardo Calafiori are also under assessment. Arteta admitted while providing the latest injury update as posted on the team’s official X account:

Gabi had to leave the pitch with an issue… We’ll see how it evolves in the next 24 hours.

Crystal Palace are without Chadi Riad (ACL), Cheick Doucouré (knee), and Caleb Kporha, though Tyrick Mitchell is expected to return to the starting XI.

Mikel provides the latest on our defender https://t.co/Vry0n86cS8 pic.twitter.com/0XkoR9hk5x

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 24, 2025

Possible Lineups

Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Mosquera, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyökeres, Martinelli.
Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Pino, Sarr; Mateta.

Softfootball’s Prediction

Arsenal 2–1 Crystal Palace.
The Gunners’ defensive solidity and home form—unbeaten in six at the Emirates—should edge them through, though Palace’s pace on transitions could cause a scare or two. Expect a lively clash, a few nervy moments, and probably another Gyökeres goal to keep Arsenal’s perfect start alive.

Mikel Arteta has sent a heartfelt message to Arsenal fans before Sunday’s game against Crystal Palace, asking them to bring their energy and support to the Emirates Stadium, Softfootball reports.

At Mikel Arteta’s pre-match press Conference at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, he emphasized the crucial role supporters play in helping the team perform at their best.

The Gunners shared an insightful perspective from head coach Mikel Arteta, via their official X handle;

"The atmosphere is one of the most important things, and I love that."

Mikel on the Emirates Stadium energy https://t.co/g9z3lg2bz8 pic.twitter.com/uKBK0HngfE

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 24, 2025

Arteta suggested that the presence of fans is crucial, not just for attendance but for their active participation in the game atmosphere. He said:

Key, capital, one of the most important things and I love that because we don’t expect supporters to turn up to the stadium.

We don’t expect supporters to just turn up to the stadium, We want them to play the game with us, which is very different.

Softfootball reported how Arsenal fans were left frustrated after a 1–1 draw with Manchester City, questioning Mikel Arteta’s cautious approach and the team’s lack of creativity. But just days later, the mood completely shifted. Arsenal defeated Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, with the fans playing a major role in that victory.

The discussion about the Emirates atmosphere came after the win, where the pre-match light show and half-time screen prompts kept supporters engaged. Arsenal fans rejoiced as Gyökeres inspired another European masterclass.

The Gunners shared a video of Arteta on their official X handle, urging supporters to be in their seats early, showing energy and positive body language from the very first whistle. Watch below:

Powered by your passion pic.twitter.com/IG1YvpdeCe

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 24, 2025

After a big midweek performance, Arteta knows the team will need another strong push from the stands. He acknowledges the physical and mental toll of recent games and sees the upcoming match as a test of resilience and focus.

He hopes the Emirates will once again be full of noise, colour, and passion, turning the fans’ support into a driving force for another important win.