Arsenal vs Newcastle Predictions & Picks for Tuesday’s EFL Cup Match

With both teams looking ahead to the second leg and looking to keep things in reach, our EFL Cup semifinal picks are targeting the Under.

Sam Farley - Betting Analyst at Covers.com
Sam Farley • Betting Analyst
Jan 5, 2025 • 12:35 ET • 4 min read
Gabriel Jesus Arsenal EFL Cup
Photo By - Imagn Images.

Arsenal and Newcastle meet in the first of two EFL Cup semifinals for the first leg to decide who’ll reach that final at Wembley. 

Both teams are desperate to win silverware, but both are coming into this game missing key personnel. With so much at stake, our Arsenal vs. Newcastle predictions like the Under. 

Read on for my EFL Cup picks for Tuesday, January 7, with kickoff at 3:00 p.m. ET on Paramount Plus.

Arsenal vs Newcastle picks and predictions

My best bet:
Under 2.5 (+123 at TonyBet)

My analysis
While most teams rest players in this competition, once you reach the semifinals, you’ll see teams focus less on resting their stars and instead look to secure a spot at Wembley and a chance to win the trophy. 

Both teams are unlikely to rest any of their stars but they'll certainly be missing key players with injuries and suspension depriving both clubs of important pieces. Arsenal are missing their best player in Bukayo Saka, as well as Ben White and potentially Kai Havertz.

While Newcastle have Fabian Schar and Bruno Guimaraes suspended, joining the long-term injured Nick Pope on the sidelines. These injuries and suspensions are one of the main reasons why the Under 2.5 comes in as our best bet for this game. Neither side is at their best. 

We’ve seen Under 2.5 goals in 55.6% of Arsenal’s home games at the Emirates, and without Saka, Havertz, and maybe even Ethan Nwaneri, who went off injured in the last game, goals will be hard to come by. That means they’ll instead rely on their excellent defense.

Newcastle’s suspensions, particularly of Guimaraes, deprive them of their best player. Without the Brazilian in the heart of midfield, they’re going to be significantly weaker, and in truth, they’d be happy to get out of this game with the scores level ahead of the second leg at St James’ Park.

With everything at stake, as well as the missing players, expect this one to start slow, with both teams playing cautiously and playing a more risk-averse style. With 90 minutes left in the second leg, it’s less important they win this game on Tuesday and more important they don't lose. That will lead to it being tense and nervy — and ultimately being lower scoring.

Arsenal vs Newcastle same-game parlay (SGP)

Under 2.5

Arsenal to win

Gabriel Jesus anytime goalscorer

In addition to the best bet, we’re also going to back Arsenal to win. They’re the better team, as evidenced by them being second in the league table, three spots ahead of Newcastle. Arsenal have a great record against Newcastle at the Emirates and have won 11 of the past 13 meetings on home soil. Arsenal have just enough extra quality to be able to secure the win.

The final leg of the SGP is backing Gabriel Jesus to score. The Brazilian has started the past five games, thanks in part to injuries, and has scored six goals in that time, including three in Arsenal’s last EFL Cup game, a win over Crystal Palace.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

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Arsenal vs Newcastle odds

Arsenal vs Newcastle live odds

Arsenal Arsenal Newcastle Newcastle
-145 Moneyline +370
+295 Draw +295
Over 2.5 (-157) Total Under 2.5 (+122)

Odds courtesy of TonyBet.

Arsenal vs Newcastle opening odds

  • Moneyline: Arsenal -152 | Newcastle +370
  • Draw: +300
  • Over/Under: Over 2.5 (-157) | Under 2.5 (+123)

Arsenal vs Newcastle side and Over/Under analysis

  • Arsenal are unbeaten in 13 games in all competitions. Newcastle have won six games in a row in all competitions.
  • Arsenal have beaten Newcastle in 11 of their previous 13 home games in all competitions.
  • The Over 2.5 has landed in just 40% of Arsenal’s league games this season and in 63.6% of Newcastle’s road league games.

Arsenal vs Newcastle game info

Location: Emirates Stadium, London, UK
Date: Tuesday, 1-7-2025
Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
TV: Paramount+
Weather: 39F, 9 mph winds, 5% PoP.

Arsenal vs Newcastle key injuries

Arsenal: Ben White DEF (Out), Takehiro Tomiyasu DEF (Out), Bukayo Saka RW (Out), Raheem Sterling FWR (Out), Kai Havertz FWR (Questionable), Ethan Nwaneri FWR (Questionable).
Newcastle: Jamaal Lascelles CB (Out), Emil Krafth DEF (Out), Callum Wilson STR (Out), Nick Pope GK (Out), Fabian Schar DEF (Out), Bruno Guimaraes CM (Out).

Not intended for use in MA.
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Betting Analyst

Sam is based in the United Kingdom, where he grew up living and breathing soccer, before discovering - and playing - a different kind of football at the University of Bristol. He’s worked in the media covering soccer and the NFL for the better part of a decade, and has been a regular on the Matchbook NFL Podcast. His work has also appeared in a wide range of publications including The Telegraph, The Independent, VICE, and MSN.

The search for great betting value is a daily one, and Sam always hunts out big prices with a particular focus on player props. Sam’s best advice for bettors is to track their bets on a spreadsheet, that way you can keep an eye on your P&L but also the types of bets and sports that you are most successful in. He also recommends using a variety of different sportsbooks, with bet365, Betfair and Paddy Power amongst his favorites.

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