Newcastle United and Arsenal lock horns on Tyneside in the Carabao Cup semi-final with both clubs desperate to reach Wembley and win some silverware.
The Magpies have not won a major trophy since lifting the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup way back in 1969 while the Gunners have not celebrated success since the FA Cup triumph against Chelsea in 2020.
Mikel Arteta’s side are once again contending for the Premier League which would be their first since 2004 and has to be their primary focus, with their hopes of overhauling leaders Liverpool receiving a massive boost with Sunday’s 5-1 statement victory against Manchester City.
That sends them into the Carabao Cup semi-final, second leg at St James’ Park with five wins and two draws in their last seven matches in all competitions since their last defeat, which was a 2-0 reversal in the first leg at home to Newcastle, when Alexander Isak – a top transfer target for Arsenal who ended up not making any January signings – was on the scoresheet.
One of those draws, though, actually ended up in a penalty shoot-out loss to Manchester United in the FA Cup and two of the wins were against Champions League minnows Dinamo Zagreb and Girona, and despite their dazzling play against City it has to be taken into account Pep Guardiola’s side were downright dismal.
Newcastle have gone off the boil in the last couple of weeks with successive home defeats to Fulham and boss Eddie Howe’s former club Bournemouth, but remember the Magpies have scored in each of their last 15 matches while Arsenal have conceded in eight of their last ten.
Scoring the opening goal will have a massive impact on who will reach the final and the Londoners will be big trouble if they fall into a 3-0 aggregate hole, but they will know it’s game on if they break the deadlock. Interesting.
Isak, who broke the deadlock at the Emirates, is 11/2 with bet365 to bag the opener and 2/1 with the same firm to take his incredible run to 11 goals in his last nine games while exciting young gun Ethan Nwaneri is 24/5 with Unibet, BetMGM and BetUK to reply for the visitors.
Arsenal are 6/5 with Betfred to win on the night and 2-1 is 8/1 with the same firm, Paddy Power, Betfair and bet365 but Newcastle will be awash with Brown Ale as fans plan their trip to the final on Sunday, March 16.
• Leeds can edge closer to a return to the Premier League by following Saturday’s 7-0 romp against Cardiff with victory at Coventry.
Daniel Farke’s side will move six points clear of second-placed Sheffield United, although they will have played a game more. They have drawn their last three away from Elland Road and the Sky Blues have won their last four but Leeds have not conceded in eight of their last ten outings, including the last five, and appeal at 10/11 with Coral and William Hill. Manor Solomon is 9/1 with Sky Bet to put Leeds ahead and they offer 7/2 he scores for the fourth time in five matches.
• Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith will have a huge role to play against Kansas City in Sunday’s Super Bowl in New Orleans and he is 6/5 with BetMGM to make over 4.5 tackles.
Keeping Patrick Mahomes quiet all game will is a tough task, however, and the Chiefs quarterback is 5/6 with Betway and BoyleSports to register a run for more than 12.5 yards.
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