The 2025/26 EFL Cup gets up and running this midweek, with Barnet playing host to Newport County in the preliminary round on Tuesday night.
Barnet will still be riding the crest of a wave after securing a return back to the EFL last season, bringing an end to their seven year stay in the National League.
Dean Brennan has been busy reshaping his squad over the summer, most notably bringing in Joe Hugill on a season-long loan deal from Manchester United.
The Bees boss will now be hoping that his side can hit the ground running in this season’s Carabao Cup when Newport County come calling.
The Exiles will be looking to improve on last season’s disappointing effort, placing 22nd in English League Two.
Manager Nelson Jardim departed the club at the tail end of last season, with David Hughes the man chosen to usher in a new era at Rodney Parade.
How the bookies view it: Bees to keep on buzzing
Barnet will come into their first competitive clash of the season as odds-on 4/6 favourites with Boylesports. Given that Barnet banged in 97 goals on their way to the National League title last term, the 4/5 (Boylesports) about the hosts to score two or more goals represents a more attractive angle of attack.
Despite playing in the division above their opponents last season, Newport County are as big as 10/3 on Boylesports to triumph while the draw is an unfancied 11/4 with the same firm.
Head to head: The Bees knees
Barnet have the upper hand in terms of the head-to-head record, triumphing in five of the overall 10 meetings between the pair. Newport have two wins to their name with the other three encounters ending all square.
Players to watch: Stead to strike?
Callum Stead is expected to spearhead Barnet’s attack on Tuesday night. Having racked up 18 goals last season, the Barnet attacker offers value in the anytime goalscorer market here at 11/8 on Betfred.
After hitting nine goals in League Two last season, Newport County will look to Bobby Kamwa for inspiration during this cup tie. The Exiles ace is as big as 4/1 with Betfred to make the net bulge on Tuesday night.
Predicted line-ups
Barnet’s squad looked a little thin for their pre-season friendly with Wycombe last week, following which defender Joe Rye joined Tamworth on a season long loan.
Newport boss Hughes will be unable to call upon the services of Kai Whitmore, with the midfielder ruled out due to suspension after being sent off on the final day of last season.
Barnet: Evans; Tavares, Collinge, Senior; Kanu, Shelton, Hartigan, Glover; Stead, Hugill, Browne
Newport County: Tzanev, Thomas, Clarke, Baker, Glennon; Smith, Longeran, Antwi, Kamwa, Greaves; Garner
Anything else catch the eye?
Backing both teams to score looks well worthy of support at 4/5 with Boylesports.
The two teams have found clean sheets hard to come by during pre-season, with BTTS paying out in three of the Bees’ last four outings.
It’s also worth noting that both teams netted during Newport’s recent friendly defeat away at Torquay United.
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