Arsenal and Newcastle United meet on Tuesday in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semifinals.
Eddie Howe’s team head to Emirates Stadium on the back of an impressive run of form. The Magpies have won six consecutive games in all competitions, a sequence that includes a 3-1 win over Brentford in the quarterfinals of this competition, plus back-to-back victories at Manchester United and Tottenham in the Premier League.
Arsenal, who defeated Crystal Palace in the previous round, were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton & Hove Albion in their last match. Mikel Arteta and his players were frustrated at the awarding of the home side’s penalty in that fixture, with the result dealing a blow to their hopes of catching Liverpool in the title race.
However, with the Gunners unbeaten since consecutive losses to Newcastle and Inter Milan in early November, they remain slight favourites to secure a first-leg advantage.
Arsenal vs. Newcastle United lineups, predicted starting 11, team news
Arteta has made a few changes to his side in previous rounds, but the manager may decide to go with as strong a team as possible now we have reached the semifinal stage. He does have a few absentees to reckon with, though.
Arsenal expect to be without teenager Ethan Nwaneri, who suffered a muscle problem during the 1-1 draw with Brighton. Arteta will hope to have Raheem Sterling available again to compensate.
Kai Havertz is expected to return after illness, while Jurrien Timber returns after missing the Brighton game through suspension.
Long-term absentees Bukayo Saka, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain unavailable.
Arsenal predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Raya (GK) — Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori — Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice — Sterling, Havertz, Martinelli
Injured: Saka (hamstring), Nwaneri (muscle), Tomiyasu, White (both knee)Suspended: None
Newcastle have two key players missing for this first leg in north London: Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar are suspended after being shown their second yellow cards of this season’s tournament in the previous round. They will return for the second leg.
Sven Botman‘s discomfort during the 2-1 win at Spurs was put down to a cramp following his lengthy injury absence. He will likely be available, although Lloyd Kelly could start if Botman is only fit enough for the bench.
Nick Pope and Emil Krafth are not expected back until later this month, while Jamaal Lascelles and Callum Wilson are set to be sidelined until February.
Newcastle United predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Dubravka (GK) — Livramento, Botman, Burn, Hall — Longstaff, Tonali, Joelinton — Murphy, Isak, Gordon
Injured: Krafth (shoulder), Lascelles, Pope (both knee), Wilson (hamstring)Suspended: Guimaraes, Schar (yellow-card accumulation)
Arsenal vs. Newcastle United live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this Carabao Cup semifinal match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
