Newcastle United and Arsenal reconvene for the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final tie at St James’ Park on Wednesday night.
The Magpies are in pole position to progress to next month’s Wembley showpiece after earning a 2-0 first leg win at the Emirates at the beginning of January.
However, Eddie Howe’s team have been a bit hit and miss in the Premier League since that victory, posting two wins and two losses across their subsequent four top-flight fixtures.
After falling to a 2-1 defeat at home to Fulham on Saturday, Newcastle will now turn their attention back to EFL Cup matters when Arsenal come to town.
The Gunners will head north in phenomenally high spirits after demolishing Man City 5-1 on Sunday, in a game that brought up one of my bets.
While turning over a two-goal deficit will be a tall order, Mikel Arteta’s men certainly won’t be fazed by the task in hand.
How the bookies view it: Gunners to fire back
Needing to win by at least a two-goal margin inside 90 minutes, Arsenal are 11/10 favourites on Boylesports to take top honours at St James’ Park on Wednesday night.
An all square affair would be enough to stamp Newcastle’s ticket to the final and that outcome can be backed at 23/10 on Boylesports, while a home win is trading at 2/1 with the same firm.
Head to head: Another St James’ Park stumble?
Newcastle can draw confidence from the fact that they have triumphed in each of their previous two home games with Arsenal in the Premier League, the most recent of which was back in November. Both of those victories arrived via a 1-0 scoreline and a repeat this midweek has been priced up at 10/1 on Boylesports.
Players to watch: Kai to inspire comeback?
After making the net bulge against Man City last time out, Kai Havertz has now scored in three of his last four starts for Arsenal across all competitions. The German ace is an eye-catching 5/2 on Boylesports to strike at St James’ Park on Wednesday night.
Anthony Gordon has scored in each of Newcastle’s two wins over Arsenal this season and he is 7/2 on Boylesports to repeat the trick this midweek.
Predicted line-ups
Joelinton is a major injury doubt for this semi-final second leg showdown after coming off with a knee injury against Fulham at the weekend. On a more positive note, Newcastle boss Howe has confirmed that Callum Wilson is set to return to the matchday squad after a spell on the sidelines.
Ben White is closing in on a return from injury for Arsenal, however Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu will all miss out again this midweek.
Newcastle: Dubravka; Livramento, Botman, Schar, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Willock; Murphy, Isak, Gordon
Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Trossard, Havertz, Martinelli
Anything else catch the eye?
Trailing by two goals from the first leg, Arsenal must go hammer and tongs to try and turn this tie around, making them an attractive option to score two or more goals at even-money (1/1) on Boylesports.
Arteta’s side have struck twice or more in five of their last six matches, most recently racking up five goals against Man City.
That doesn’t bode well for a Newcastle team that have shipped a combined total of six goals across their last two Premier League home games with both Bournemouth and Fulham respectively.
This EFL Cup match between Newcastle United and Arsenal will be played on Feb 5, 2025 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Newcastle United vs Arsenal prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
