Arsenal vs Newcastle Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2024-25 English League Cup | Semi-Final
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This could represent both teams’ best chance of silverware this season, so expect a high-octane semi-final first-leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Kick-off date/time: Tuesday 7th January, 2025: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – Paramount+
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Paramount+
Arsenal Preview: In search of silverware
Arsenal are 13 games unbeaten in all competitions coming into this contest, but they come into this off the back of a 1-1 draw at Brighton which saw them fail to gain ground on Premier League leaders Liverpool.
The Gunners have been prolific in front of goal on their way to the Carabao Cup semi-finals though, hitting League One side Bolton for five before scoring three times against both Preston and Crystal Palace.
Newcastle Preview: Magpies in flight
Newcastle are playing full of confidence right now having won their last six games in all competitions, five of those coming in the Premier League, with the Magpies currently sitting in fifth position in the table.
Finalists in this tournament two years ago, Eddie Howe’s men have come through four rounds to reach the last four, seeing off Nottingham Forest, AFC Wimbledon, Chelsea and Brentford.
Arsenal Team News: Timber back from suspension but Nwaneri blow
Jurrien Timber served his suspension in the Premier League over the weekend and is likely to come straight back into the Gunners defence, while Kai Havertz could also return from an illness-related absence that has kept him out of the last two fixtures.
Promising youngster Ethan Nwaneri will play no part, however, with a muscular injury forcing him off at half-time against Brighton.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Rice, Merino; Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard
Unavailable: Neto (Ineligible), Tomiyasu (Fitness), White (Injured), Nwaneri (Injured), Saka (Injured), Sterling (Fitness)
Questionable: Havertz (Illness)
Newcastle Team News: Double suspension
Both Fabian Schar and Bruno Guimaraes are suspended for the first-leg, so Howe must decided whether to retain Sven Botman in defence, who made his return from a lengthy lay-off over the weekend. In midfield, Sean Longstaff is an obvious candidate to come into the side.
Anthony Gordon did sustain a knock against Spurs on Saturday, but Howe has calmed fears that it is anything serious.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Dubravka; Livramento, Kelly, Burn, Hall; Longstaff, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon
Unavailable: Pope (Injured), Schar (Suspended), Lascelles (Injured), Krafth (Injured), Guimaraes (Suspended), Wilson (Injured)
Questionable: Gordon (Injured)
Arsenal vs Newcastle Prediction
Not since 1993 have Arsenal won the Carabao Cup, but Mikel Arteta knows that Newcastle represent a significant object given the Magpies’ recent form.
It was a difficult start to the season for Eddie Howe’s men but they appear to have found their groove now, particularly in attack where Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak have combined superbly well in recent weeks.
Despite a disappointing draw over the weekend, Arsenal have been playing some decent football themselves and have proven that they can be an efficient attacking unit despite Saka’s absence.
Newcastle look like they can score against any team right now, but home advantage should give the Gunners a boost, so both teams to score is the tip in this first-leg.
Arsenal vs Newcastle Tip: Both teams to score
