The final of the EFL Cup semi final between Manchester United and Newcastle takes place at Wembley on Sunday, an opportunity for both sides to end their respective trophy droughts
Man United
United's road to Wembley has been relatively trouble free. They were 4-2 winners at home to Villa first up and then saw off Championship high flyers Burnley 2-0 in another home tie. They remained at Old Trafford to beat League 1 side Charlton 3-0 and in the semi finals they won the first leg at Nottingham Forest 3-0 and the return 2-0.
On Thursday of this week United were 2-1 winners at home to Barcelona to progress in the Europa League knock out rounds, 4-3 on aggregate.
United are also still involved in the FA Cup and are currently third in the EPL title race, 3 points behind Man City and 5 shy of Arsenal (the Gunners have a game in hand). United are bidding for a first trophy since 2017.
Newcastle
Newcastle came through their semi final match up with Southampton with a 3-1 aggregate win, winning the first leg 1-0 at St Mary's and the return 2-1 at St James Park.
Newcastle saw off Leicester 2-0 in their quarter final at St. James Park. Prior to that they completed a 1-0 home win over Bournemouth, a penalty shoot out victory at home to Crystal Palace after a 0-0 draw and their cup run began with a 2-1 win away at Tranmere.
Newcastle are in fifth spot in the EPL, 8 points behind Manchester United and 1 shy of fourth placed Spurs and they have a game in hand in both those sides.
Newcastle crashed out of the FA Cup in Round 3, losing 2-1 at Sheffield Wednesday. Aside from that their only other defeats this season came home and away to Liverpool, 2-1 at Anfiield at the end of August and 2-0 in a home game last weekend. Goalkeeper Nick Pope was sent off early doors last week and is suspended, their back up keeper Martin Dubravka is cup tied and Eddie Howe could turn to former Liverpool keeper Loris Karius.
Newcastle's last major trophy was the old Fairs Cup back in 1969
The Betting:
United are currently 11/10 to win the game in normal time with the draw at 24/10 and Newcastle can be backed at around 5/2
A game of 3 goals or more in normal time is priced at 19/20 and it's 0.77/1 for both teams to score in regulation time.
To lift the trophy under any method of victory United are 11/20 and Newcastle are 13/10
Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
The Verdict:
When the teams met at Old Trafford in the league in mid October the game finished without a goal but I'm pretty open minded about this one in terms of which way it will go and how many goals we will see.
Losing Pope to suspension is obviously a huge blow for Newcastle and whilst United are in great shape the sheer volume of high profile games they have been involved could be a factor.
I'm going to nibble at 1-1 in the correct score market.
Bet: Correct Score (normal time) 1-1 at 11/2 with Sportingbet
Risk Free First Bet Up to R2,000 back if you don't win
Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
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