The Magpies and Man Utd are both just 2/5 for home wins that would seal their progress to the showpiece after away victories in last week’s corresponding ties. Scroll down for two selections at more palatable prices and the analysis behind them.
Carabao Cup Semi-Finals Best Bets
· Newcastle vs Southampton – HT Result Draw & Total Goals Under 2.5 goals @ 13/10
· Man Utd to win First Half vs Nottingham Forest @ 21/20
Newcastle vs Southampton prediction
A lot has been made of Newcastle’s incredible defensive record this season and rightly so. The Magpies have kept 10 clean sheets in their last 11 games across all competitions.
Last week we cashed in on a clean sheet for Eddie Howe’s men, but at 17/20 this time around we can find more appealing odds by roping their misfiring marksmen into the bargain.
Newcastle have notched once or less in 10 of their last 11 outings themselves and matters have been particularly miserable prior to the break of late.
Every single one of their past 11 games has been 0-0 at half time. The HT correct score 0-0 can be backed at 19/10, but with the added bonus of covering a 1-1 at the interval, the half-time and under 2.5 first-half goals double is our preferred pick.
Best Bet: Newcastle vs Southampton – HT Result Draw & Total Goals Under 2.5 goals @ 13/10
Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest prediction
It will be difficult for Erik Ten Hag to resist making some changes to his strongest starting eleven given United hold a commanding 3-0 aggregate lead ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford.
Nonetheless wholesale changes feel unlikely given the Dutchman won’t want to risk missing out on the Red Devils’ first domestic final since 2017. The Betzone odds compilers clearly agree, pricing them up at just 2/5 for victory.
United have already beaten Forest 3-0 home and away this season and on both occasions they were 2-0 up at the break. That gives the 21/20 about them winning at half-time a very generous look.
A cagey first 45 minutes isn’t really an option for the visitors, who have a three-goal deficit to cancel out. That promises space for the Red Devils forward line, whether it’s full of hungry second stringers or first choice starters expected to get the job done before a well-earned early second-half substitution.
Forest have gone in at the break in arrears in four of their last six away games, allowing even the likes of Blackpool and Bournemouth to lead them at the end of the opening period. United can follow in those lesser sides’ footsteps.
Best Bet: Man Utd to win First Half vs Nottingham Forest @ 21/20
