Southampton’s turbulent season takes another hit as they prepare to face an in-form Liverpool in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
After parting ways with manager Russell Martin following a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Tottenham, the Saints must turn their attention to Liverpool, who remain a formidable force despite a 2-2 league draw with Fulham at Anfield.
The managerial void leaves Southampton in disarray, with relegation looming after their promotion from the Championship via last season’s play-offs.
Their next boss faces the daunting task of keeping them afloat in the Premier League. Many high-profile candidates may avoid the job, as recent examples like Luton Town show how hard it is for newly promoted teams to establish themselves in the top flight.
Martin’s downfall came from an unyielding commitment to his football philosophy, which faltered against Premier League opposition.
Ironically, his dismissal came after being outclassed by Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs, whose similar tactical stubbornness thrives thanks to superior squad quality.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are chasing their 11th Carabao Cup trophy. Mohamed Salah remains their league talisman, but Cody Gakpo has shone in this competition, netting four goals in two games.
Gakpo’s odds to score first sit at 6/1 with Paddy Power, while Unibet and BetMGM offer 43/20 for him to score anytime.
The Reds recently edged Southampton 3-2 in a stormy league clash on the south coast and could see another high-scoring game, with over 5.5 goals priced at 6/1.
In another quarter-final, Arsenal host Crystal Palace at the Emirates. The Gunners rely heavily on set pieces for goals, which could make breaking down a resurgent Palace tricky.
However, the Eagles’ lack of squad depth may prove costly. Arsenal are 23/20 with Betway to lead at half-time and full-time, while defender William Saliba offers long-shot odds of 33/1 to score first and 14/1 to score anytime with bet365.
Meanwhile, Newcastle will look to capitalize on Brentford’s poor away form. Fresh from a dominant 4-0 win over Leicester, the Magpies are 11/8 with bet365 and Sky Bet to lead at half-time and full-time. Striker Alexander Isak, who continues to impress, is 7/2 with William Hill and others to open the scoring.
With Liverpool, Arsenal, and Newcastle poised to cruise into the semi-finals, their opponents face steep challenges to keep their Carabao Cup dreams alive.