EFL Cup Semi-Finals Second-Leg Tips: Four tips for the two last-four ties
The second legs of the EFL Cup semi-finals take place this week with Arsenal entertaining Chelsea on Tuesday while Manchester City host Newcastle a day later.
The Gunners are well placed to book a spot in the showpiece as they hold a 3-2 lead going into the return fixture at the Emirates, while City are in an even better position as they won the first leg 2-0 at St James’ Park.
Arsenal vs Chelsea (Tuesday 20:00)
Tip 1 – Arsenal to win and both teams to score @ 2/1
Chasing the game against Arsenal is no easy task but Chelsea should take a bit of confidence from their performance in the first leg after recovering from 2-0 and 3-1 down to keep the tie close.
Since that loss the Blues have put together a five-game winning run and they fought back from 2-0 down to claim maximum points against West Ham at the weekend.
The Blues look to have clicked into gear under new boss Liam Rosenior but they face a huge task to win at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal have only lost once on home soil all season with 14 wins in 18 games across all competitions.
However, clean sheets have become an issue for Mikel Arteta’s men. The Gunners have conceded in five of their last seven games overall and in six of their last seven home assignments.
Chelsea are in fine form and should be able to strike in North London but with home advantage Arsenal can still kill this tie off with a victory.
Tip 2 - Gabriel Martinelli to score anytime @ 23/10
Arsenal have a couple of injury issues to contend with and boss Arteta will probably make a few changes to the side that beat Leeds at the weekend, with Gabriel Martinelli a candidate to return to the starting line-up.
Martinelli managed an assist in that win over Leeds after featuring for the final half hour and he can follow that up with a goal against Chelsea if he is involved from the off.
The Brazilian scored on his last start, the Champions League win over Kairat Almaty, and has been effective in the cup competitions this season - with six goals in seven Champions League games and a hat-trick in the FA Cup third-round win over Portsmouth.
Manchester City vs Newcastle United (Wednesday 20:00)
Tip 1 – Manchester City to win @ 7/10
The best angle in terms of a result for the second semi-final on Wednesday is a straightforward bet on Manchester City to win.
Newcastle come into the game in poor form with just one win in their last seven games and they have been fairly poor on their travels all season.
The Magpies have only won three away games all season and their best road victory is a 4-1 success at Everton, who sit ninth in the Premier League. Their other away victories have come at relegation contenders Burnley and at Belgian side Union SG in the Champions League.
Inconsistency on the road has been an issue for City but at home they have been fairly reliable. Pep Guardiola’s men have won 14 of their last 17 home games, losing just once, and they haven’t lost at the Etihad in a domestic fixture since August.
After a 2-0 win in the first leg, City already have one foot in the final and they can finish the job off by winning inside 90 minutes when they entertain Newcastle, who were beaten 4-1 at Liverpool on Saturday.
Tip 2 - Anthony Gordon over 0.5 shots on target @ 19/20
Newcastle won’t go down easily as the defending champions and they will have to take the game to their hosts at some point if they are to stand any chance of fighting their way back into this tie.
That may not result in a goal for the visitors, but they should be able to carve out some chances and a shot on target for visiting forward Anthony Gordon could be a shrewd bet.
Gordon scored his third goal in his last seven games across all competitions in Newcastle’s defeat at Liverpool last time out.
The England international hasn’t scored yet in this competition but is averaging a solid 0.8 shots on target per-game, while he has a shooting accuracy of just under 40% in the Premier League, so he can at least force a save even if he is unable to help his side turn this tie around.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
