EFL Cup Betting: Top Carabao Cup Odds & Live Markets
EFL Cup betting at Virgin Bet SA delivers all the action of England's League Cup, from the early knockout rounds to the Wembley final in late March, for bettors looking to back Premier League giants or lower-division clubs alike.
At Virgin Bet, you’ll find match winner betting, total goals, outright tournament winner betting, and more, with competitive odds, live betting and the option to bet in South African rand (ZAR).
Our Android and iOS apps also mean you can enjoy Carabao Cup betting wherever you are.
Understanding Popular EFL Cup Betting Markets
Here are some of the most popular EFL Cup betting markets you'll find at Virgin Bet SA. Remember, special promotions may also be available.
1X2 – Match Winner Bets
If you've done any soccer betting, you're probably familiar with this one. The numbers and letters represent three possible outcomes:
- 1: The home team wins.
- X: The match ends in a draw.
- 2: The away team wins.
In knockout football, every EFL Cup tie must produce a team that progresses to the next round. However, a standard 1X2 bet usually covers the result after 90 minutes plus stoppage time, excluding extra time and penalties.
So, if you back a team to win but they only advance on penalties, your standard Match Winner bet won't be a winner.
This is where markets such as To Qualify differ, as they look to specifically identify which team advances.
Over/Under Goals Betting
Sometimes, you might have a feeling about how many goals will be scored in a match without being sure which side will win.
This EFL Cup betting market is where Over/Under comes in handy.
Say the bookmaker sets the line at 2.5 goals, backing Over means you'll need at least 3 goals in the match, and choosing Under means you're predicting 2 or fewer.
It doesn't matter which team scores. A 3-0 victory and a 2-1 result both count as Over 2.5.
Both Teams To Score – BTTS Markets
BTTS keeps things simple. Will both teams score?
If you back Yes, you're predicting that both sides will score at least once. Backing No means you're betting that at least one team will fail to score. The final score and which team wins don’t matter, as long as the result matches your selection. As long as the result meets your selection, your bet wins.
Outright & Special Bets for the Carabao Cup Season
Individual matches are only part of the Carabao Cup betting picture. Looking further ahead, you can expect betting options to back a team to win the entire competition.
Outright Tournament Winner Odds
The name says it all: pick the club you think will win the trophy at Wembley.
Unlike a standard Match Winner bet, an outright bet covers the entire competition. Your selection remains in contention as long as your team stays in the tournament. Each victory takes them a round closer to the title, while elimination means your bet loses.
It's a familiar market in knockout competitions, and you'll see the same in markets like those of the FA Cup and the Champions League.
Some outrights may have an Each-Way option that splits your stake between winning the tournament and finishing in one of the qualifying places specified by the market.
An Introduction to Live In-Play EFL Cup Betting
You don't have to place every bet before kick-off. You can also get involved once the match is underway.
With live betting at Virgin Bet SA, you can check which markets are available as the game is underway, and the odds reflect developments on the pitch.
An early goal, a red card or a late equaliser can all influence the betting, and as the EFL Cup is a knockout competition, a match that's level close to the final whistle could be heading for penalties.
Live EFL Cup betting lets you follow developments and check the markets available at any stage of the game. You can also install the Virgin Bet app to follow the action from your phone.
How to Wager on the EFL Cup Safely
You don't need to be a football expert to place a bet on the EFL Cup at Virgin Bet SA.
Log in, go to the football section, and select the EFL Cup. Find the fixture you're interested in and the available markets, then add it to the bet slip.
Enter your stake in rand (ZAR), check your bet details and confirm your selection. You can then track your bet through your account.
Remember, there's no need to spend more than you can afford just because your favourite team is playing.
Virgin Bet SA has a range of responsible gambling tools, including deposit limits, reality checks and self-exclusion, that you can access via our A Good Bet hub.
About the EFL Cup and the Carabao Cup
While the Premier League may hog the headlines, the EFL Cup still has its own appeal. It brings together clubs from all four professional levels in England, giving smaller teams a chance to take on the country's giants.
Unlike a league campaign, there is no table to climb and no points to collect. The challenge is to survive each round until the final.
The EFL Cup Tournament Format – Knockout Stages & Rules
The EFL Cup features all 92 clubs from England’s top four divisions: the Premier League, Championship, League One and League Two.
The lower-division clubs get things underway, with Premier League clubs joining in later rounds. Clubs in European competition generally enter in the third round, while other Premier League sides enter in the second.
The competition then progresses towards the semi-finals and the Wembley final.
Most rounds are decided over a single match. If the score is level after normal time in rounds one to five, the teams go straight to a penalty shootout.
The semi-finals are different, however. They're played over two legs, and the aggregate score determines who progresses. If the teams are still level after the second leg, extra time and potentially penalties will decide the winner.
The final can also go to extra time or penalties if neither team wins in normal time.
All of this affects match-result markets, as a team can lose its 1X2 selection but still qualify for the next round.
Why the Competition is Also Known as the Carabao Cup
You've probably heard the competition referred to as the League Cup, EFL Cup, and Carabao Cup. Don't worry, bafethu, they're all the same tournament.
The League Cup is its traditional name, while EFL Cup reflects its connection to the English Football League. Carabao Cup is the name used under the competition’s sponsorship deal with energy drink brand Carabao.
The Carabao Cup takes its name from its title sponsor, the energy drink brand Carabao.
So, if you're searching for Carabao Cup betting or EFL Cup markets, you're looking at the same football competition.
Frequently Asked Questions About the EFL Cup
Is the Carabao Cup the exact same competition as the EFL Cup?
Yes. The Carabao Cup is the sponsored name of the EFL Cup, also known as the English League Cup.
How many rounds in the EFL Cup?
There are seven rounds, including the semi-finals and final. Premier League clubs enter at different stages based on their European competition schedules.
How does Each-Way (E/W) betting work on the outright winner?
An Each-Way bet is two bets in one: one on your team to win, another on them to finish in a qualifying position. The place terms depend on the market where it is offered.
Who has won the EFL Cup the most times?
Liverpool hold the record for the most EFL Cup titles.
