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The first leg of the EFL Cup semi-finals kicks off on Tuesday when Arsenal host Newcastle United in a match between two of the Premier League’s top five sides.
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 13 matches in all competitions, including a 3-2 win over Crystal Palace in the quarter-finals last month. Newcastle, meanwhile, have won each of their last six games, outscoring their opponents by 18 games to two. Their high scores include a 3-1 win over Brentford in the last eight. The two teams will meet again on February 5 at St James’ Park, where the team with the better final score will progress to the final.
Here’s what you need to know before you tune in.
Storylines
Arsenal: The Gunners have held their own over the past two months and have gone thirteen games unbeaten. This has seen them rise to second place in the Premier League and reach the EFL Cup semi-finals for the first time since the 2021-2022 season. However, there is a little bit of inconsistency hidden beneath that strong streak, with Arsenal scoring goals against some opponents while struggling offensively on other days, raising concerns about the state of their attack. Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Brighton and Hove Albion fell into the latter category, with the Gunners managing just three shots on target and fewer than one expected goal.
Injuries have hampered Arsenal’s attacking performances all season, first with Martin Odegaard’s ankle injury in the autumn and now with Bukayo Saka’s hamstring injury, which will keep him out for several months. The attack has survived without Saka so far, but a favorable fixture list over the festive period is less of a test than a cup semi-final against Newcastle, so this match could provide a good idea of their long-term prospects without the England international. However, manager Mikel Arteta will be relieved that the team’s top scorer Kai Havertz is back after an illness.
Newcastle United: After six games in a row, Newcastle United are perhaps the most in-form team in the Premier League at the moment and within easy reach of a top-four finish, an impressive achievement without the injured Callum Wilson and Nick Pope. However, a favorable fixture list over the past month means that Tuesday’s match against Arsenal will provide a real opportunity to fulfill the Magpies’ top four and trophy-winning ambitions.
Eddie Howe’s side will be hoping to improve after Saturday’s 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur, where they again came away with a win but benefited from big mistakes from the opposition and fell behind as Spurs accounted for the majority of the games looking for an equalizer. the second half. How their in-form attack will stack up against Arsenal’s defense in particular will be another big question. Even with the Gunners’ attacking inconsistencies, they have only conceded ten goals in their last thirteen games.
How to watch and odds
- Date: Tuesday January 7 | Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Location: Emirates Stadium – London, England
- Live stream: Biggest+
- Chances: Arsenal -135; Sign +295; Newcastle United +350
Projected setups
Arsenal: Raya, Wood, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Odegaard, Rice, Havertz, Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard
Newcastle United: Dubrovka, Trippier, Schar, Branden, Hal, Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton, Murphy, Isak, Gordon
Prediction
This may not be an easy match for either side, but expect Arsenal to once again rise above their challenges and gain a first-leg advantage. However, it could be a narrow battle as both sides have fairly solid defenses. Choose: Arsenal 1, Newcastle United 0