Newcastle host Arsenal in the second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final on Wednesday night. Under the lights at St James’ Park, the atmosphere promises to be special. Newcastle are desperate to get to Wembley with a chance of ending their 70 year trophy doubt. The Magpies go into the game with a two-goal first leg lead, setting this one up perfectly for an entertaining game of football.
Very unlike Newcastle, they actually go into this game on the back of two home defeats – disappointingly dropping 6 points against both Bournemouth and Fulham. The worry for Eddie Howe will be how completely outplayed they were. The atmosphere will be amazing and the Toon army will certainly try act as the ’12th man’ to get them over the line.
Arsenal will absolutely not go down without a fight. Mikel Arteta’s side go into the game absolutely brimmining in confidence after dispatching Man City 5-1 at the Emirates at the weekend. This was also their 4th consecutive win in a row. Arsenal have traditionally travelled very well under Arteta in recent years, they go into this game unbeaten in their last 9 away games in all competitions.
Arsenal know that they have to go for this being 2-0 down after the first-leg. They have more than enough quality to take advantage of Newcastle’s weaknesses in the past couple of weeks. Arsenal will try and contain the electric atmosphere tonight with an early goal and early pressure. We expect Arsenal to avoid defeat here.
A man in the headlines and arguably the best striker in the Premier League at the minute is Alexander Isak. The Swede has been heavily rumoured to move to Arsenal, who has already scored in both games vs Arsenal this season – including the first leg a couple of weeks ago. Isak has scored 19 goals in 26 games this season. Isak has seen 32 shots on target and 1+ shot on target in 18/22 starts this season. With Arsenal having to inevitably chuck everything at this game at points and Newcastle more than capable of scoring, we expect Isak to get his customary shot on target.
TIP: Arsenal Double Chance & Isak Shot on Target @ 2.00
