A month ago Newcastle put themselves in a strong position to qualify for the League Cup final – also known as the Carabao Cup for sponsorship reasons – by winning 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal in the first leg of the semi-final. Goals from Isak and Gordon have brought the Magpies closer to the final at Wembley (scheduled for March 16), where the winner of this match will face either Tottenham or Liverpool.
Impossible comeback? The Gunners are certainly called upon to achieve a real feat but, according to the latest results of Mikel Arteta’s team, all is not yet lost. The Londoners, in fact, are definitely doing better than they were thirty days ago and are fresh from one of the most resounding victories of their season, the 5-1 thrashing of Manchester City, the reigning English champions. An outstanding Arsenal side, who recorded their fourth consecutive win in various competitions and continue to be Liverpool’s only real rival in the Premier League, preventing the Reds (still 6 points ahead but with a game in hand) from essentially already getting their hands on the title. Newcastle, on the other hand, seem to have relaxed a little in recent weeks, slowing down after nine wins in a row between December and January.
Magpies less brilliant than a month ago
Eddie Howe’s men have suffered two defeats in the last 3 days, both at home (Bournemouth and Fulham), which have caused the Bianconeri to slip to sixth place, overtaken again by Chelsea: The Blues, winners in the postponed game against West Ham, are now fourth, 2 points ahead of Bruno Guimaraes and his teammates.
Howe is worried about Joelinton. The Brazilian came out of the game against Fulham with an injury and it’s not certain that he’ll be able to take the field: Willock is ready in case of a withdrawal. In the last days of the transfer window, Arsenal were unable to find a top striker who could take the place of the injured Saka and Gabriel Jesus. At St James’ Park, the trident will be made up of Nwaneri, Havertz and Trossard.
Odds comparison
Arsenal’s win is quoted at 2.15 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and at 2.10 on Snai. The “Over 2.5” sign is quoted at 1.75 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and at 1.73 on Snai.
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The prediction
Newcastle are chasing their first trophy since 1955, hoping to end a 70-year drought. Arsenal’s 2-0 win in the first leg undoubtedly represents a mountain to climb for them, as they have to win at one of the toughest stadiums in England by as many as three goals (a feat the Gunners haven’t managed since 2010, also in the League Cup). But Arteta’s team are in excellent form, so we’ll have to keep an eye on them. The feeling is that the Londoners will manage to snatch at least a positive result in a match with a total of more than two goals and that could heat up in the second half.
The probable line-ups for Newcastle-Arsenal
NEWCASTLE (4-3-3): Pope; Livramento, Botman, Schar, Hall; Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon.
ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Nwaneri, Havertz, Trossard.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2