Best Odds: 23/20
Bookmaker:
In what is a heavyweight EFL Cup showdown on Wednesday night, Manchester United will welcome Newcastle to Old Trafford for a repeat of last season’s final.
Manchester United
Starting with the hosts, putting in a nightmare performance in the Manchester derby on Sunday afternoon, United find themselves in the midst of an extended rut. Eventually blown away at Old Trafford and hit with a routine 3-0 drumming, Erik ten Hag certainly finds some mounting pressure on his shoulders. Struggling to find any kind of stability since opening up the new campaign, the Reds already find themselves sat eight points adrift of breaking into the top-four. Likewise, still knowing that they face a real uphill battle in their bid to punch a Champions League knockout stage ticket this season, the former Ajax boss will also be hugely concerned by his side’s extended issues on home soil. In fact, along with Sunday’s 3-0 defeat against their bitter local rivals, Manchester United have remarkably lost three of their previous four Premier League showdowns at Old Trafford. Although ten Hag’s men might have been crowned EFL Cup champions last season following their 2-0 victory against Newcastle at Wembley, the Reds will know that they face another stern challenge here.
Team News
In what could be a timely boost for Manchester United on Wednesday night, midfield talisman Casemiro is expected to make a return to ten Hag’s squad here. However, dealing with a stacked injury list, the Reds will once again be without the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Tyrell Malacia.
While summer recruit Rasmus Hojlund might still be waiting to open his domestic account since arriving from Atalanta, the 20-year-old should once again spearhead ten Hag’s attack at Old Trafford in midweek.
Newcastle
As for the visitors, although Newcastle might have once again gained a string of plaudits since opening up the 2023/24 campaign, they do have the feel of a squad seeking some recent stability. Last seen over the weekend missing out on what they would have billed as a golden opportunity as they had to settle for a 2-2 stalemate away at Wolves, Eddie Howe’s side have recorded just a single win from their previous four appearances across all competitions. Suffering their first Champions League defeat of the season last week as they suffered a 1-0 loss at home against German giants Borussia Dortmund, the former Bournemouth boss will also have a mild headache over his side’s recent issues away from St. James’ Park. Along with heading into October’s international break with another 2-2 draw away at West Ham, Newcastle have remarkably claimed just a single victory from any of their last eight contests outside of the north east continuing on from last season.
Team News
Missing Saturday’s 2-2 draw away at Wolves with another growing injury, Newcastle are expected to be without Alexander Isak when they arrive at Old Trafford on Wednesday night. The Swedish striker will be joined on the sidelines by the likes of Harvey Barnes and Elliot Anderson.
Likewise, handed a 10-month ban last week following his role in Italy’s betting scandal, Sandro Tonali will not travel to Manchester in midweek. Already notching seven Premier League strikes this season, England international Callum Wilson will lead Howe’s attack here.
Key Factors to Consider
