The first silverware of the football season will soon be up for grabs as by Wednesday night this week, we will know the two teams that will contest February’s Carabao Cup Final at Wembley.
Manchester United and Newcastle United hold leads from their first leg ties with Nottingham Forest and Southampton respectively, but with a second leg still to be played, everything is still up for grabs.
For fans of the teams competing, or indeed any football punters with an interest in a bet on the games, bet365 Sport is offering extensive betting on both second leg ties in the Carabao Cup this week.
You can check out all the pre-match markets below and remember to check back close to kick off to ensure you don’t miss out on the In Play betting options too.
Open Account Offer:
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets
Min Deposit: £5 – Expiry: 30 days – Min Odds: 1/5 (1.20)
New Customers only. Bet £10* & Get £30* in Free Bets. Sign up, deposit between £5* and £10* to your account and bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value and they are settled. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply. The bonus code BET247 can be used during registration, but does not change the offer amount in any way. Registration Required.
Let’s now check out how both ties are set up with a quick review of how the first legs of each tie panned out, before we move on to take a closer look at this week’s crucial second leg ties.
Carabao Cup Semi Finals – 1st Leg Results
- Southampton 0-1 Newcastle United (Joelinton 73)
Newcastle United deservedly won the first leg of this tie and in truth, it should have been by a more comfortable margin, as they missed some good chances before Joelinton finally put the Toon Army on the scoresheet.
Southampton were dangerous for portions of the game, but found Newcastle’s defence, the best in the Premier League, resolute in keeping them out and it was the Magpies who created the best chances, none more so than when Joelinton blasted over an open goal in the first half.
However, the Brazilian was on hand to convert in the second half as he fired past the Saints keeper to give Newcastle an invaluable lead heading into the second game at St James’ Park.
Southampton’s woes were compounded late in the game when Duse Caleta-Car was given a second yellow followed by a red card, meaning he will serve a one match suspension.
Game Ratings
Southampton (4-2-3-1) – Bazunu 6, Walker-Peters 7, Lyanco 6, Caleta-Car 5, Salisu 6, Alcaraz 7, Diallo 6, Djenepo 5, Ward-Prowse 6, Orsic 5, Mara 5. Subs Used – Armstrong 7, Adams 6, Edozie 6, Bednarek 6, Lavia 5.
Newcastle Utd (4-3-3) – Pope 6, Trippier 7, Burn 7, Botman 7, Schar 7, Longstaff 6, Guimares 7, Willock 6, Almiron 6, Wilson 7, JOELINTON 8. Subs Used – Saint-Maximin 6, Isak 7, Murphy 6
- Nottingham Forest 0-3 Manchester United (Rashford 6, Weghorst 45, Fernandes 89)
Manchester United took a giant step towards the Carabao Cup Final with a 3-0 demolition of Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in this one-sided first leg tie.
Bolstered by great support from the home fans, Forest would have wanted to get a fast start but it was Manchester United that achieved that when a clever run from Rashford into the box saw him fire the ball past the keeper to put the Red Devils in front after just six minutes.
That goal deflated the home crowd somewhat, but Forest tried to rally only to find the United defense resolute in keeping the home side at bay.
The key goal came just before half time when loanee Wout Weghorst slotted home to put the visitors 2-0 up and leaving Forest with a mountain to climb.
Steve Cooper’s side tried hard in the second period but United’s back line held firm and United looked the more likely to score on the counter and so it proved when Bruno Fernandes struck home a sweet third goal to all but book United’s place in the final, even with the second leg still to come.
Game Ratings
Nottingham Forest (4-3-3) – Hennessey 6, Aurier 5, Worrall 5, McKenna 5, Lodi 5, Freuler 6, Danilo 5, Scarpa 6, Johnson 7, Surridge 6, Gibbs-White 6. Subs Used – Williams 6, Colback 5, Lingard 5, O’Brien 5, Dennis 5.
Manchester United (4-2-3-1) – De Gea 7, Wan-Bissaka 7, Malacia 6, Martinez 7, Lindelof 7, Eriksen 7, Casemiro 8, Antony 7, FERNANDES 9, Rashford 8, Weghorst 7. Subs Used – Pellestri 6, Elanga 6, Garnacho 6
Carabao Cup Semi Finals 2nd Leg Previews & Tips
Newcastle United (1) v (0) Southampton
With a one goal lead from the first leg, and the second leg at home, Newcastle United are set to take on Southampton at home knowing that they have not conceded a goal at St James’ Park in any of their last eight games in front of their own fans.
That sums up the task facing Southampton here who not only have to win the game against a team beaten just once in the Premier League this season, but the Saints also have to do so by two clear goals.
When viewed like that, the task facing Southampton does look somewhat frightening and it is part of the reason why Newcastle United are very much the odds-on favourites to reach the final.
The Saints away record is better than their home form in the Premier League and that will give them some hope, but they are going to need to pierce a defence that has not conceded a goal in almost 900 minutes at home.
Probable Newcastle XI – Pope, Trippier, Burn, Botman, Schar, Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock, Almiron, Joelinton, Wilson.
Probable Southampton XI – Bazunu, Walker-Peters, Lyanco, Caleta-Car, Salisu, Alcaraz, Diallo, Edozie, Ward-Prowse, Orsic, Mara
Our Best Bets for Newcastle v Southampton
- Newcastle United to win 2-0 – 5/1 with bet365 Sport.
- Miguel Almiron to score anytime – 5/2 with bet365 Sport.
Manchester United (3) v (0) Nottingham Forest
After their big win in the first leg in Nottingham, Manchester United are all but assured of a place in the final and it would take a shock result of epic proportions for them not to make it through to Wembley next month.
That said, that doesn’t mean Forest cannot win the game. I don’t think they can win it by enough to go through to the final, but if United are not at it, or sit back too much then there is a risk that they could pay the penalty.
However, Erik Ten Hag has got this team playing well and in a style that seems to suit them. I can see United resting some key players at various points in this game, which means the likes of Garnacho may start, but they will still pick a strong team.
And in that case, I think United will make sure of a place in the final by putting together a solid performance that ends up in a good win for the home side.
Probable Man Utd XI – De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Malacia, Martinez, Lindelof, Casemiro, Eriksen, Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho, Weghorst.
Probable Nottm Forest XI – Hennessey, Aurier, Lodi, Worrall, McKenna, Freuler, Lingard, Scarpa, Johnson, Gibbs-White, Dennis.
Our Best Bets for Man Utd v Nottingham Forest
- Man Utd to win 3-1 – 11/1
- Bruno Fernandes to score anytime – 2/1
