Preview
The first significant domestic final of the 2022–23 season has arrived. On Sunday at Wembley, Manchester United and Newcastle United will face off in a battle for the Carabao Cup.
Manchester United are looking for their first trophy since their Carabao Cup and Europa League double-winning campaign under Jose Mourinho in 2016–17, and it appears that they are on the road to recovery under Erik ten Hag’s leadership.
On their way to the final, they defeated Premier League teams Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, but Newcastle is unquestionably their hardest opponent to far in this competition.
The Magpies have been outstanding this season under Eddie Howe, but defeating the Red Devils and bringing home their first major trophy since the 1970s—and the first under Saudi PIF ownership—would solidify their status as the ascendant force many of the major league teams have feared they would become since the takeover. The fact that both clubs will view this as the first step in a long road to returning to the top of English football does not lessen the significance of winning the trophy for them.
Form Guide: Manchester United
Since the beginning of 2023, Manchester United has only lost once in all competitions, thus they will be confident going into this game. Even more intriguing is the fact that they only managed to score under two goals in a contest twice out of the fifteen games they took part in during this time.
They have scored at least three goals in four of their past six encounters with Newcastle, so Sunday’s game could be exciting. The Red Devils have avoided the top English clubs to get to Wembley, defeating Aston Villa, Burnley, Charlton Athletic, and Nottingham Forest to make it to their first domestic cup final since the 2017–18 FA Cup.
A quadruple offering of trophies remains a distinct possibility for Man United, who advanced to the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday night with a 2-1 win over Barcelona. Antony and Fred completed the comeback from Robert Lewandowski’s penalty kick to give the Red Devils a 4-3 aggregate win. Man United have scored at least two goals in each of their EFL Cup games thus far and have kept clean sheets in each of their last four.
Man United head to Wembley with a nine-game winning streak across all competitions, are aiming for victory in the FA Cup, and pose a danger to shock Arsenal and Manchester City in the Premier League.
Form Guide: Newcastle United
After their Saudi-led acquisition in 2021, Newcastle was anticipated to eventually achieve this level of trophy-challenging form, but few would have predicted them to smash the ceiling this quickly. Both the Champions League and the first major championship since 1969 are goals for Eddie Howe’s team.
Newcastle United, meanwhile, had a strong start to the season, but it seems like they’ve lost some momentum recently since they haven’t won in three games. But, the return of their star player Bruno Guimares, who has scored seven goals this season, following a three-game suspension, might be advantageous for Eddie Howe’s team.
Newcastle arrives with a selection headache as first-choice keeper Nick Pope is suspended, meaning Loris Karius is in line for a debut and his first outing for an English side since a disastrous display in the 2018 Champions League final for Liverpool.
The Magpies will be able to call on key midfielder Bruno Guimaraes after he served a suspension of his own but Anthony Gordon is cup-tied and Emil Krafth is injured, while Joelinton and Joe Willock are considered doubts.
How the game could go
Due to the two fan bases’ long-awaited excitement, Sunday’s final may get off to a cautious start. Nevertheless, considering the offensive prowess that will likely be on display, it should give way to a fun match.
The fact that Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes are both back in action for their respective teams will be a huge boost for them both. However, the outcome of the game may depend on how Casemiro’s partner plays, which has been a concern while Christian Eriksen was out due to Marcel Sabitzer’s inexperience at Old Trafford, Fred’s inconsistent play, and Scott McTominay’s recent return from injury.
The goals have stopped coming for Howe’s team recently, while Manchester United has the best forward in Europe in the form of Marcus Rashford. However, perhaps even more significant is the absence of Nick Pope, who is suspended, and Martin Dubravka, who is tied to a cup match, meaning that Loris Karius will make his first-ever Newcastle appearance.
The Red Devils will be concerned about Newcastle since they won’t have much time to rest after their Europa League play-off victory against Barcelona on Thursday, but with winners like Casemiro and Rafael Varane among their ranks, the trophy may very well return to Manchester.
Betting Predictions
Manchester United to Win
The goals have stopped coming for Howe’s team recently, while Manchester United has the best forward in Europe in the form of Marcus Rashford. However, perhaps even more significant is the absence of Nick Pope, who is suspended, and Martin Dubravka, who is tied to a cup match, meaning that Loris Karius will make his first-ever Newcastle appearance. The Red Devils will be concerned about Newcastle since they won’t have much time to rest after their Europa League play-off victory against Barcelona on Thursday, but with winners like Casemiro and Rafael Varane among their ranks, the trophy may very well return to Manchester. Bet9ja have 2.20, 1xbet have 2.24 and Paripesa have 2.24 odds.
BTTS (YES)
If there is anything to criticize about Manchester United under Erik Ten Hag, it is the team’s lack of defensive solidity. To put that into perspective, the win against FC Barcelona last time out was the eighth time in their last twelve games that they didn’t keep a clean sheet. Both teams have found the back of the net in five of the last six encounters between Man Utd and Newcastle. Goals have been scored at both ends of the pitch in four of Man Utd’s last six fixtures as well as in three of Newcastle’s last four outings, adding plenty of weight to our prediction. Bet9ja have 1.78 odds, Paripesa have 1.82, and 1xbet have 1.82 odds.
Anytime Goalscorer (Manchester United)
Marcus Rashford
There can only be one player to watch in this weekend’s League Cup final and it has to be the in-form forward, Marcus Rashford. The England international has scored 5-goals in the League Cup this season and has netted 24 goals in all competitions. The 25-year-old is in fantastic form right now with 8-goals in his last 10 appearances in all competitions and the Newcastle defense has a tough job on their hands stopping Rashford this weekend. Rashford could make all the difference between success and failure for Man Utd this weekend. Bet9ja have 2.50 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 2.40.
Sancho
The English forward has had a rough season but seems to be getting back to form as he has been involved in goals in his last three matches. This is a final of utmost importance and we expect him to provide a stellar performance here. Bet9ja have 5.20 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 6.60.
Anytime Goalscorer (Newcastle United)
Allan Saint Maxim
Allan Saint-Maximin’s return to fitness has been a major boost for Newcastle in the run-up to the cup final. He was superb against Liverpool last weekend after the Magpies went down to 10 men and should relish the Wembley stage. This could be his first taste of silverware today. Bet9ja have 6.80 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 6.20.
Bruno As previously mentioned, Bruno Guimarães will be back in action this weekend after missing the last three games due to his red card in the Simi final against Southampton. He knows how to perform when it comes to the big stage and a goal or two here would be important for his side to win the trophy. Bet9ja have 4.75 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 3.60.
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.