This week, two teams will punch their tickets to Wembley for the EFL Cup Final. On Tuesday, Arsenal take on Chelsea in the first EFL Cup Semifinal, as the Gunners have a 3-2 lead heading into the second leg. All Manchester City need to do to qualify for the final is not lose to Newcastle by two or more on Wednesday.
Arsenal vs Chelsea is at the Gunners’ Emirates Stadium and kicks off at 3:00 pm EST on Tuesday. Man City vs Newcastle, at the Etihad in Manchester, is at the same time on Wednesday. Viewers in the US can catch both matches streaming on Paramount+.
Ahead of this week’s action, we’ll take a closer look at the odds and preview each match. Of course, we’ll share the best bet for each game at the end of each preview.
EFL Cup Semifinal: Arsenal vs Chelsea – Tuesday, 3:00 pm EST, Emirates Stadium, London, England
It’s another London Derby in Tuesday’s EFL Cup Semifinal. Arsenal (-147), who lead 3-2 going into the second leg, host Chelsea (+375) at the Emirates.
Notably, Chelsea have been winless in their previous ten games against Arsenal. The Blues have also lost each of the last three meetings at the Emirates. Arsenal have only lost one match at home all season and will be up for this one after a comfortable 4-0 win on Saturday away at Leeds in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Chelsea pulled off an impressive two-goal comeback to defeat West Ham 3-2 on Saturday. However, that match was draining for Chelsea. Liam Rosenior has gotten off to a good start as Chelsea boss, as his Blues have won six of his first seven matches in charge.
The only loss was to Arsenal in the reverse fixture, as Ben White, Viktor Gyokeres, and Martin Zubimendi were on target for the visitors. Chelsea winger Alejandro Garnacho scored a brace to keep the scoreline respectable and an EFL Cup Final berth within reach.
For Arsenal, midfielder Mikel Merino is out with a foot injury. Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka is questionable, but his understudy, and former Chelsea winger, Noni Madueke, was excellent against Leeds on Saturday.
Chelsea could be missing Jamie Gittens, who suffered an injury against West Ham. Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia, and Tosin Adarabioyo remain out.
Both squads are deep, and neither Cole Palmer nor Moises Caicedo was available for the reverse fixture. Palmer’s presence gives Chelsea more creativity. Also, Arsenal have conceded in three of the previous four matches.
Bet on a same game parlay of both teams to score, and Arsenal to score over 1.5 goals.
Best Bet: Both Teams to Score and Arsenal Over 1.5 Goals (+125)
Manchester City vs Newcastle United – Wednesday, 3:00 pm EST, Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England
In the second EFL Cup Semifinal, Manchester City take a 2-0 lead into their match against struggling Newcastle. The Magpies enter this match having won just one of their last seven games overall. They’ve also been victorious in one of their previous seven away games.
On Sunday, Manchester City blew a two-goal lead at Tottenham, which is undoubtedly a concerning sign for today. Still, EFL Cup holders Newcastle fell 4-1 at Anfield to Liverpool on Saturday without Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes in midfield.
Newcastle have a creativity problem, having failed to score three times in the preceding six matches. Striker Nick Woltemade got off to an excellent start on Tyneside, but he hasn’t found the net in any of his last 11 appearances.
In good news for the visitors, Guimaraes is expected back, and he’s scored eight goals from midfield this season. Still, Joelinton, Fabian Schar, Tino Livramento, and Emil Krafth are all out injured for the Magpies.
Manchester City are also dealing with some injuries. Jeremy Doku is the latest addition to the injury list. Meanwhile, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, John Stones, Mateo Kovacic, and Savinho are all out.
The EFL Cup changed their rules, so new City winger Antoine Semenyo is able to play in this match. He’s scored in four of his five matches for Man City since joining the club.
Still, each of City’s preceding four home games against top-flight teams has finished with two goals or fewer. Newcastle have been struggling to score goals, and City just need to not concede to go through to the Final. Bet on under 2.5 goals here, as Man City should dominate possession and play a measured game.
Best Bet: Under 2.5 Goals (+120)
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