Welcome to our Carabao Cup betting guide, dedicated to one of the most dynamic and unpredictable knockout competitions in English football. Known today by its sponsor name, the Carabao Cup is officially the English Football League Cup (EFL Cup), a tournament that brings together clubs from all tiers of English professional football in thrilling, high-stakes matchups.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to place smart bets on the competition—from understanding the format to discovering the best betting sites, top markets, and strategies to follow throughout the tournament.
Where to Bet: Top Betting Sites for the Carabao Cup
Football remains one of the most exciting and popular betting options worldwide—and among all competitions, English football stands out for its tradition, intensity, and unpredictability. The Carabao Cup, also known as the EFL Cup, is no exception. Although it’s a knockout tournament, it regularly features Premier League giants, championship surprises, and dramatic showdowns—making it a perfect stage for strategic betting.
To make the most of this competition, it’s essential to use reliable and high-performing betting platforms. That’s why we’ve handpicked the top 5 betting sites for wagering on the Carabao Cup. In the table below, you’ll find everything you need to get started:
- Operator logo
- Expert rating
- Welcome bonus
- Direct and secure access to the platform
But before placing your first bet, make sure to keep reading—we’ll cover everything you should know about the tournament’s structure, key betting markets, and smart strategies.
Top 5 Betting Sites for the Carabao Cup
| Operator | Welcome Bonus | Rating ⭐ |
| Kingmaker | 100% up to $100 + boosted odds | ★★★★☆ |
| Emirbet | 100% up to $120 + combo bet insurance | ★★★★★ |
| Ivibet | 100% up to $100 on first deposit | ★★★★☆ |
| Efbet | 100% up to $200 + risk-free bet option | ★★★★☆ |
| BDMbet | 50% up to $150 + weekly reloads | ★★★☆☆ |
How We Chose the Best Carabao Cup Betting Sites
In the previous section, we introduced you to our top 5 betting sites for the Carabao Cup. Now it’s time to explain how we made those choices. Our evaluation is based on four core criteria that matter most to bettors, especially when dealing with fast-paced knockout competitions like this one.
Key Factors Behind Our Selection:
- The payout and odds quality on Carabao Cup markets
- The availability of special bonuses and promotions for this tournament
- The live betting and streaming experience
- The range and variety of betting markets, both pre-match and in-play
Let’s take a closer look at each of these criteria below.
Odds & Payout Value
The first factor is all about the quality of the odds. Payouts represent the percentage of money returned to bettors, and the higher this value, the better your potential profits.
Minimum and Maximum Payouts – Carabao Cup
| Operator | Payout Range |
| Kingmaker | 90.8% – 96.4% |
| Emirbet | 90.9% – 96.7% |
| Ivibet | 90.6% – 96.2% |
| Efbet | 90.7% – 96.3% |
| BDMbet | 90.5% – 95.9% |
We didn’t only analyze standard 1X2 markets, but also explored alternative options like Both Teams to Score, Total Goals, and Asian Handicaps. The results show that all selected operators maintain payouts well above 90%, with some even surpassing 96% in top markets—a solid performance for cup matches.
Bonuses and Promotions for the Carabao Cup
The second major factor is the availability of bonuses and promotions that apply to Carabao Cup matches. While it may not have the prestige of the FA Cup, the EFL Cup still attracts plenty of promotional attention, especially during the knockout rounds and big clashes.
Operators like Emirbet and Ivibet offer combo boosts, cashback on accumulator losses, and exclusive tournament promos. Even if no promotion is branded specifically for the Carabao Cup, most bonuses are flexible enough to apply.
For those new to cup betting or looking for low-risk entry, sites like BDMbet also offer low minimum deposit options, making it easier to place multiple bets without heavy commitment.
Live Betting and Streaming Experience
Live betting has become a cornerstone of modern sports wagering, and the Carabao Cup—with its high-paced, unpredictable matches—is ideal for it.
Top sites like Efbet, Kingmaker, and Wonaco (if added later) provide fast-updating in-play sections, with 200+ live markets per game during the later rounds. Some even offer live streaming of selected fixtures, meaning you can follow the action without needing a cable subscription or heading to a sports bar.
Look for features like:
- Real-time statistics
- Dynamic odds updatesCash Out options
- Integrated streaming when available
Betting Markets: Variety and Quality
The final criterion is the breadth and quality of betting markets. The best Carabao Cup bookmakers aren’t just about quantity—they also offer innovative, niche bets that give players an edge.
Popular markets include:
- Player-specific bets (first goalscorer, player to be carded)
- Combo bets (e.g., team to win + over 2.5 goals)
- Minute-specific goals, corners, or cards
- Asian lines and specials tailored to knockout formats
The platforms we’ve selected stand out by offering deep market variety, making them perfect whether you’re placing a quick single or crafting a complex accumulator.
Most Popular Betting Markets for the Carabao Cup
As mentioned earlier, the types of bets available are a key part of any betting strategy. The Carabao Cup, with its mix of top-tier clubs and underdogs, offers a wide range of options. Here we’ll break them down into single-match markets and antepost (outright) bets, so you know where and how to place your stakes effectively.
Single-Match Markets
These are the most popular markets for day-to-day betting and are widely available at top bookmakers like Kingmaker, Emirbet, and Ivibet. Let’s look at three of the most played options with insights based on the 2019/20 season.
Match Winner (1X2)
| Home Win (1) | Draw (X) | Away Win (2) |
| 47.70% | 21.00% | 31.30% |
This is the most traditional and widely used market: predicting the final outcome of a match. Will the home team win, will it end in a draw, or will the visitors triumph?
Data from the 2019/20 Carabao Cup shows that home wins were the most common, but away victories weren’t far behind, accounting for nearly a third of all outcomes. Draws were less frequent, indicating an aggressive style of play even in early rounds.
Over/Under 2.5 Goals
| Under 2.5 | Over 2.5 |
| 35.80% | 64.20% |
A favorite among football bettors, this market asks whether the total number of goals in a match will be more or less than 2.5.
The 2019/20 stats highlight the goal-heavy nature of the tournament, especially in early rounds where Premier League teams face lower-tier clubs. Nearly two-thirds of matches ended in Over 2.5, making this a strong trend to follow.
Both Teams to Score (BTTS)
| Yes | No |
| 56.70% | 43.30% |
This market asks whether both teams will score at least one goal in the match. If a game ends 3–0, “No” wins. If it ends 2–1 or 1–1, “Yes” wins.
The BTTS market also showed a clear bias in 2019/20: Yes occurred in 56.70% of games, indicating that even underdogs found the net. However, be cautious in matches where elite clubs face much smaller teams—the difference in quality can still result in one-sided scorelines.
Antepost (Outright) Markets
In addition to match-by-match betting, outright markets allow you to bet on long-term outcomes of the tournament. These are perfect for strategic thinkers or those looking for higher-value odds.
Tournament Winner
The most prestigious antepost market is predicting the Carabao Cup champion. You can place this bet before the tournament begins or during its progression (with odds updated round-by-round).
In recent seasons, Manchester City has dominated, winning five of the last seven editions as of 2020. Their deep squad allows them to compete seriously even when rotating players.
Finalist Team
This market allows you to predict which team will reach the final, regardless of whether they win or not.
It’s a great way to take advantage of underdog surprises, which are frequent in this competition. In 2020, Aston Villa made it to the final. And in earlier editions, even fourth-division clubs have managed the same feat—highlighting how unpredictable this cup truly is.
Top Goalscorer
Here, you predict which player will score the most goals in the tournament. Unlike league competitions, this one’s full of surprises.
In 2019/20, the top scorer wasn’t a household name like Kane or Salah, but Liam Boyce, a forward from Burton Albion in League One. Because big stars often enter the tournament later, the early rounds give lesser-known players the chance to shine—and provide very generous odds.
Bet Smarter on the Carabao Cup: Final Tips and Overview
By now, you’ve learned everything you need to confidently place bets on the Carabao Cup, from understanding the competition’s format to identifying the best betting platforms, analyzing key markets, and knowing which players and teams to watch.
Before you start betting, here are a few strategic reminders:
- Check team lineups carefully, especially in early rounds where top clubs rotate heavily.
- Watch for fixture congestion—teams involved in European competitions might not prioritize this tournament.
- Explore alternative markets like Over 3.5 or 4.5 goals—goals are often plentiful in this cup due to mismatched squads and open play styles.
Quick Facts About the Carabao Cup
| Name: | English Football League Cup (Carabao Cup) |
| Country: | England |
| First Edition: | 1960 |
| Number of Teams: | 92 |
| Format: | Knockout tournament |
| Season Duration (2020): | August – March |
| Most Successful Club: | Liverpool (8 titles) |
Originally created as a secondary tournament for professional teams eliminated from the FA Cup, the Carabao Cup has grown into one of the most competitive and entertaining knockout cups in Europe, open to all 92 professional clubs in England, from the Premier League down to League Two.
Clubs to Watch in the Upcoming Season
While the competition often ends with a Premier League team lifting the trophy, its structure allows for surprise finalists and deep runs by underdogs. Here are the usual contenders:
- Manchester City – 7 titles and a recent era of dominance
- Aston Villa – 5 titles and regular finalists
- Liverpool – Record holders with 8 trophies
- Manchester United – 5 titles, strong cup pedigree
- Arsenal – Just 2 wins, but 6 final appearances
Key Players Who Could Shine Again
Some players have made the Carabao Cup their personal stage in recent years:
- Gabriel Jesus – 3-time winner, top scorer in 2019
- Sergio Agüero – 5-time champion, scored in multiple finals
- Phil Foden – Young standout, already with 2 titles to his name
Ready to Place Your Bets?
We’ve reached the end of this complete guide to betting on the Carabao Cup. Whether you’re a seasoned punter or just starting out, this page has offered you everything you need to bet smartly and safely on one of England’s most dynamic football competitions.
From trusted bookmakers with excellent odds and bonuses to market analysis, live betting insights, and tournament structure—you now have the full playbook.
The next move is yours.
👉 Check out our recommended betting sites and start building your Carabao Cup strategy today!
