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With four teams remaining in the 2024/25 edition of the Carabao Cup, the first legs of the semi-finals will be played this week.
A competition that many are initially indifferent about suddenly takes on new significance when a trip to Wembley is on the immediate horizon. There are plenty of storylines going into this season’s semi-finals.
Mikel Arteta’s project deserves another piece of silverware, while Liverpool are the proud holders who don’t want the Gunners to claim any psychological advantage in the Premier League title race. Their respective opponents, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur, are desperate to end their long trophy drought by finishing as runners-up from 2021.
The upcoming clashes may not decide the March finalists under the Wembley arch, but they will go a long way in shaping the dynamics of the tie with the second leg scheduled for early February.
Here’s how 90 minutes Thinks that the first leg will run.
Newcastle have won five in a row Premier League And Thomas Frank were the beneficiaries of resting key Brentford starters for their quarter-final.
The Magpies have returned to recognizable form from their 2022/23 campaign. They are a nightmare to play against, and Armory Must be ready for a couple of slugfests with a spot in Carabao Cup The ultimate at stake. Newcastle are particularly keen to add to their dusty trophy cabinet.
However, the Gunners will benefit from the suspensions of Fabian Shore and Bruno Guimaraes. Eddie Howe has settled on a preferred XI in recent weeks, and there will be some rotation on Tuesday night after the Magpies were forced to work incredibly hard for all three points at Tottenham on Saturday.
It all goes into Arsenal’s hands, but the hosts themselves are marred by key injuries. Howe doesn’t have to worry about doubling up or even tripping over Bukayo Saka for both legs with the winger out for long distances. The Gunners are 13 games unbeaten in all competitions, but their inability to turn draws into wins has hampered their title charge.
They’ve already lost at St James’ Park this season, and you’d think Arsenal would need to go into the second leg with the advantage of having the best chance of reaching the final.
|
Kick-off Time (GMT) |
fixture |
guess |
|---|---|---|
|
20:00 |
Arsenal vs Newcastle |
2-1 |
Tottenham are enduring their worst Premier League season since 2008/09, but support for manager Ange Postecoglou remains relatively strong.
Spurs have been bereft of defenders since defeating Southampton before Christmas and including their recent barren run 6-3 defeat at the hands of their next opponents.
Liverpool Weaknesses have been exposed during their top-flight campaign, and Wednesday’s hosts could benefit from Arne Slott rotating his starting XI heavily in the N17. We certainly won’t see the side that won beautifully in North London on December 22.
England’s Lilywhites have bypassed both Manchester clubs to reach this stage, and although they are vastly outmatched on paper, their positive second-half display against Newcastle means there should at least be a spark of confidence around the dressing room ahead of Liverpool’s visit. A manager desperately needs results.
|
Kick-off Time (GMT) |
fixture |
guess |
|---|---|---|
|
20:00 |
Tottenham vs Liverpool |
2-2 |
