An FA Cup third-round elimination likely helped Newcastle United in their quest to reach the League Cup final for the first time since 1976 and secure their first silver since 1969. In addition, the team had a whole week to rest before the return game, which is important before such an important match. Today the Magpies will try to break through to Wembley, where this trophy will be played on February 26th. Striker Callum Wilson took on some of the defensive responsibility, claiming Newcastle are “defending from the front” by cutting off supplies from the opposition’s flanks. Regardless of who is responsible, Eddie Howe’s side currently boast the lowest defensive record in the Premier League with 11 goals conceded. In addition, the Black and Whites enter this clash against the backdrop of a club record of eight straight home clean sheets in all competitions. In the English Championship the team has 10 wins and nine peaceful outcomes after 20 rounds, which corresponds to 39 points and the third position in the standings. In the last game of the Premier League, the hosts parted ways with Crystal Palace (0:0). Kraft, Shelvey and Target, who has a heel injury, will not be able to play today.
Only two teams in the history of the League Cup have managed to overcome the deficit in the first home leg to reach the final. The last to succeed was London’s Arsenal, and back in the distant 1986/87 season. It shows the enormity of the task ahead of Nathan Jones and his players, who had four days less to prepare after beating Blackpool with a score 2:1 in the FA Cup at the weekend. What’s more, Jones was brought in to keep his place in the elite championship, so few would have guessed that four of his first five victories in his new job would come in domestic cup competitions. In the Premier League tournament, things are not going according to plan for the guests. In 20 rounds, the Saints got four victories and three draws, which ultimately corresponds to 15 points and 20th line in the standings. However, only three points separate the Red-Whites from the 14th position. McCarthy, Genepo, Livramento and Larios, who has a muscle injury, will not be able to help his team in this fight. More all today football match predictions can be obtained from the link provided.
