England Carabao Cup - Semifinals 1st Leg
- Thread starter spkutano
- Start date
Arsenal vs Newcastle Preview:
Possible starting lineups:
Arsenal:
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard
Newcastle:
Dubravka; Trippier, Kelly, Burn, Hall; Longstaff, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon
Arsenal will welcome Newcastle to the Emirates in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final. As You probably know, the semifinals in the Carabao Cup are played over two legs, though, and this is the only time where the same fixture will be played more than once in the same season. There is no away goals rule. So far, VAR has not been used in the tournament this season, however Video Assistant Referee will be introduced for the semi-final matches, and for the final at Wembley Stadium. Tottenham face Liverpool in the second semifinal. The match will go to extra time with a penalty shootout then applied if scores are level after both games.
Arsenal have eliminated Bolton, Preston and Crystal Palace on their way to the semifinal. The Gunners are also successful in the Champions League as well as in the Premier League. Nevertheless, the atmosphere in the team isn't at highest level after dropping two points at Brighton this weekend. Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri scored an opener in the first half, but Brighton equalized after William Saliba was penalized for a 'headbutt' on Brighton forward Joao Pedro, who subsequently converted the spot. Arteta has additional worries as some important players are injured. The 17-year-old Nwaneri had suffered a muscular injury and he is rated as doubtful. Kai Havertz is also questionable after missing back-to-back matches through illness. Four players are definitely sidelined - Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu. On the positive note, Jurrien Timber is back from a suspension.
Newcastle have eliminated Nottingham Forest, AFC Wimbledon, Chelsea and Brentford so far in the competition. The club have big ambitions since new Saudi owners invested a big money. The Magpies are in good form at the moment, winning the last six matches across all competitions. Goals from Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak propelled the Edie Howe's side to a 2:1 win at Tottenham on Saturday lunchtime. The players confidence is high, but Howe has some injury and suspension worries ahead of the trip to London. He will be missing Fabian Schar and Bruno Guimaraes as they are serving competition-specific bans for picking up their second yellow cards of the EFL Cup season in the Brentford win. Their absence is a big handicap for Howe. In addition, Emil Krafth, Nick Pope, Callum Wilson and Jamaal Lascelles are out injured, while Sven Botman is rated as doubtful.
Arsenal vs Newcastle Prediction:
Arsenal are in good form, they are unbeaten in 13 consecutive matches across all competitions. But Newcastle are also in great form, they are series of six wins across all competitions. Furthermore, they scored at least twice in eight games in a row. The players confidence is high in both squads, so I expect both teams to score.
Arsenal vs Newcastle Pick: Both teams to score - Yes @ 1.71 with Pinnacle
Tottenham vs Liverpool Preview:
Possible starting lineups:
Tottenham:
Kinsky; Pedro Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence; Bissouma, Bentancur, Kulusevski; Johnson, Solanke, Son
Liverpool:
Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Konate, Tsimikas; Morton, Endo, Szoboszlai; Elliott, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez
Tottenham will welcome the competition holders Liverpool in the second of the League Cup semifinal first legs on Wednesday. The Spurs managed to eliminate Coventry, Manchester City and Manchester United on their way to the semifinals. Nevertheless, they are in big crisis at the moment. Tottenham have suffered three defeats on the last four matches across all competitions. Manager Ange Postecoglou is under enormous pressure and his position isn't safe. That is why this match is very important, another defeat could trigger his change. In addition, the Australian coach has huge injury worries. He could be without his entire defense for this match. Destiny Udogie, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Ben Davies are all sidelined through injury, while Radu Dragusin and Archie Gray are rated as doubtful with illness. The situation is critical on goalkeeper's position as Guglielmo Vicario and Fraser Forster are both out, meaning third-choice Brandon Austin is expected to start. Richarlison, Mikey Moore and Wilson Odobert are also out.
Liverpool had easier opponents in the previous stages of the League Cup compared to Tottenham. The Reds have eliminated West Ham, Brighton and Southampton so far in the competition. Arne Slot is doing a fantastic job and the fans are satisfied. Liverpool are leaders in the Premier League and they are first on the overall Champions League table. They will try to return to winning ways after the home draw with Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday. No one was expecting to drop points against out-of-form United, but Liverpool should be happy not to lose. The derby was very intense and Slot will probably rest some of his key players. Off-the-pitch matters additionally complicate the situation. Three key players - Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk - are still negotiate with the club and their future remains unresolved. Real Madrid want to sign Trent and maybe that's the main reason for his poor display against Man United. The injury situation is improving, Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley have returned, but Joe Gomez remains sidelined with a hamstring problem. Dominik Szoboszlai, who skipped the derby, is doubtful due to illness.
Tottenham vs Liverpool Prediction:
Tottenham have struggled in the Premier League this season, but their form in the League Cup so far have been impressive. The Spurs have eliminated both the Manchester clubs in the last rounds to make their place in the semifinal. But Liverpool are unbeaten in the last 24 matches across all competitions and they look very strong at the moment. Just two weeks ago they outplayed Tottenham and won 6:3 at New White Hart Lane. I believe the Reds will win again. The players confidence is on their side, but there is more. Postecoglou is without many important players and Liverpool should take advantage.
Tottenham vs Liverpool Pick: Liverpool to win @ 1.72 with Pinnacle
Agree, but the odds are too low.