match as part of the EFL Cup semi-finals. The game is set to kick off at 8:00 PM BST on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at the iconic Emirates Stadium in London. Following a frustrating 1-1 draw against Brighton in their last Premier League outing, the Gunners are determined to regain their momentum. This recent setback has allowed league leaders Liverpool to widen their lead in the title race, intensifying the significance of this upcoming clash for Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Match Details
- Date: Tuesday, January 7, 2025
- Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST
- Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
- Referee: Craig Pawson
Historical Context
In recent seasons, Arsenal has experienced mixed results at Newcastle's St. James' Park; however, their home form against the Magpies has been strong. Historically, Newcastle has only claimed one victory at the Emirates, a narrow 1-0 win back in November 2010. This match also marks the first League Cup encounter between these two teams since October 2010, when Arsenal delivered a commanding performance with a 4-0 victory at Newcastle's home ground.
Odds and Predictions
As the match approaches, bookmakers have placed Arsenal as the favorites, estimating their chances of winning at around 61%. Current odds from bet365 show Arsenal at 1.7, while Newcastle is seen as the underdog, with less than an 18% chance of winning away. A draw is considered to have a likelihood of approximately 22%, indicating that the betting markets favor a home victory. With Newcastle's odds at 4.75, they will need an extraordinary performance to secure a surprise win against a formidable Arsenal side.
Broadcast Information
match live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, and Sky Sports Ultra HDR, with coverage starting at 7:00 PM GMT. ITV1 and STV will also broadcast the game, beginning at 7:30 PM GMT. For those looking to stream the match, ITVX and the STV Player offer free access with an email subscription, while Sky subscribers can use Sky Go for live streaming.
Additional Coverage
Standard Sport will provide a dedicated match blog featuring live updates and commentary for those wanting to stay engaged with the action. UK viewers have a variety of streaming options, including Sky GO, Sky GO Extra, and NOW TV, while fans in the US can catch the game on Paramount+, and those in Canada can watch on DAZN.
Team News and Lineups
Both teams are expected to field strong lineups for this crucial semi-final. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has generally opted for a mix of starters in previous rounds, but he may deploy his strongest squad now that they have reached this important stage.
Arsenal will likely be without teenager Ethan Nwaneri, who is sidelined due to a muscle injury sustained during the draw with Brighton. Arteta is hopeful that Raheem Sterling will be available for selection to bolster the attacking options. Kai Havertz is anticipated to return following a brief illness, and Jurrien Timber is back after serving a suspension for the previous match.
However, Arsenal will miss the services of long-term absentees including Bukayo Saka, Ben White, and Takehiro Tomiyasu, who are all unavailable due to injuries.
Predicted Arsenal Lineup (4-3-3):
- Goalkeeper: David Raya
- Defense: Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Ricardo Calafiori
- Midfield: Martin Ødegaard, Jorginho, Declan Rice
- Attack: Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli
In contrast, Newcastle will be without two crucial players for this first leg: Bruno Guimarães and Fabian Schär, both suspended after accumulating yellow cards in the earlier rounds of the tournament. They will be eligible for return in the second leg.
Sven Botman, who had a minor cramp during Newcastle’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham, is expected to be available, although Lloyd Kelly may step in if Botman isn’t fully fit to start.
Match Prediction
This semi-final clash is anticipated to be fiercely competitive, with predictions hinting at a close finish. Many expect a final scoreline of Arsenal 2 - 1 Newcastle, reflecting the tight contest likely to unfold on the pitch. Fans can look forward to an exciting evening of football as both teams vie for a coveted spot in the Carabao Cup final.
Zainab Y.
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