Newcastle United welcome Southampton to St James’ Park in second leg of their semi-final in 2022-23 Carabao Cup.
Having prevailed 1-0 in the first leg, Newcastle simply need to avoid defeat to secure a first appearance in a cup final this century.
Southampton meanwhile must score at least twice to stand any chance of advancing to the final, although a win by an one-goal margin would see the tie settled on penalties.
Team News
Newcastle will be without new signing, Anthony Gordon who is ineligible for selection, due to the fact that he featured for Everton in their Third Round exit at Bournemouth earlier this season
Emil Krafth (knee), Jonjo Shelvey (calf) and Matt Targett (heel) remain absent.
Southampton could welcome Duje Caleta-Car back from suspension for this leg following his absence for their FA Cup win against Blackpool last weekend.
Moussa Djenepo (concussion) and Alex McCarthy (knee) are both doubtful but Valentino Livramento (knee) and Juan Larios (adductor) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle take on Southampton at St James’ Park on Tuesday 31 January in a 8pm GMT kick-off, live on Sky Sports.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle have won one of two previous League Cup meetings against Southampton (W1, L1), with their sole win coming in the first leg last week by 1-0 result.
- Southampton are playing away to Newcastle in the League Cup for the first time, but are winless in five previous visits in all cup competitions (D2, L3).
- Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes has scored two goals in two of his three appearances against Southampton in all competitions.
- Newcastle won their only previous home leg of a two-legged League Cup semi-final, as they defeated Tottenham 3-1 in January 1976.
- Southampton have avoided defeat in two of three previous away legs in League Cup semi-finals (W1, D1, L1).
Prediction
Having had the week to prepare for this return leg following a dominant first leg victory, Newcastle hopefully will of sorted out their end product which was easily their weakest quality in an otherwise strong attacking performance.
Southampton meanwhile struggled to match Newcastle’s intensity at home with some sloppy defending and were denied an equaliser by VAR, but are still in with a chance of Wembley although scoring first here will be crucial amidst their poor cup record away at St James’ Park.
Now if the Saints can do that and build upon the positives of their FA Cup win over Blackpool on Saturday, this match could certainly be close but Newcastle’s fresher legs could well be the difference aided by an electric home atmosphere in what is their best shot at a final in years.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Southampton
Result: Newcastle 2-1 Southampton (Newcastle win 3-1 on aggregate!!)