The EFL Cup semi-finals are almost here, and four big teams are ready to battle it out. Arsenal, Newcastle United, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur want a spot at Wembley’s final. The matches will be played over two legs. The first games are in early January, and the second in early February. Whoever wins will play in the final on March 16.
Arsenal vs. Newcastle United
Arsenal had an exciting 3-2 win against Crystal Palace to reach the semi-finals. Gabriel Jesus scored three goals in the second half. It was the first time he scored at home in over a year, which made it extra special. Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, is looking to win his first big trophy since the 2020 FA Cup.
Newcastle beat Brentford 3-1 to get here. Sandro Tonali scored twice in the first half, and Fabian Schar added another goal later. Newcastle hasn’t won a major trophy in 70 years, so their fans are really excited about this chance. They already beat Arsenal 1-0 in the Premier League this season, which could give them some confidence for this match.
Arsenal likes to attack with lots of passing and skill. Newcastle is strong at defending and counterattacks. The two teams have very different styles, so watching should be fun. Arsenal is currently at +175 to win the competition, while Newcastle stands at +500. Fans looking to bet on the game should keep an eye on the changing odds and the latest Betfred promotional code to improve their overall experience.
Liverpool vs. Tottenham Hotspur
In their quarter-final match, Liverpool had a tough 2-1 win over Southampton. Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott scored for Liverpool. They’ve won the EFL Cup ten times, more than any other team. Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot, has had a great season. The team is also doing well in the Premier League and Champions League.
Tottenham’s 4-3 win against Manchester United was full of drama. Dominic Solanke scored two goals, and Heung-min Son scored straight from a corner kick. But their defense struggled, which nearly cost them the game. Tottenham hasn’t won a trophy since 2008, and they hope to change that.
Liverpool and Spurs will play each other in the Premier League right before their first cup game, which could make things even more enjoyable. Spurs have their first leg at home, which might help them, but Liverpool’s experience will be hard to beat. Liverpool will start the match as the favorites, with odds of +187, while the Spurs are listed at +333.
Streaming and Broadcasting
Fans eager to catch the action can tune in via Sky Sports, the primary broadcaster for the EFL Cup semi-finals. Select matches, including Arsenal’s first-leg clash against Newcastle and Liverpool’s second-leg against Spurs, will also be available on ITV1 and ITVX.
Ticket Sales and Fan Engagement
The semi-finals have generated significant excitement, with tickets for key fixtures selling out rapidly. Arsenal’s home leg against Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium is already at full capacity. For fans unable to attend, ballot systems and ticket exchanges have been implemented to ensure fair distribution.
For the first time, referees will explain VAR decisions to the crowd during the semi-finals. This new idea starts with the Arsenal vs. Newcastle game. It should help fans understand what’s going on and make things clearer.
Final Thoughts
Arsenal might have the edge because they’re playing at home first. But Newcastle’s defense is really good, and they’ve beaten Arsenal recently. It’s too close to call.
Liverpool looks stronger on paper than Spurs. They have more experience in big games and a solid team. Spurs, though, can be dangerous in attack. If they fix their defense, they could surprise everyone. The result of their league game might tell us more about how these matches could go.
