Newcastle United host Leicester City in a mouth-watering Quarter-Final tie in 2022-23 Carabao Cup.
Victory would see Newcastle qualify for the Semi-Finals for the first time since finishing as runners-up in 1975-76 season.
Leicester meanwhile are looking to reach the last four for the second time in four seasons.
Team News
Allan Saint-Maxmin could return for Newcastle after he missed their shock FA Cup exit at Sheffield Wednesday due to illness.
Callum Wilson (fatigue) could also return but Emil Krafth (knee), Jonjo Shelvey (calf) and Matt Targett (heel) remain absent.
Leicester have no fresh injury concerns to report following their FA Cup win at Gillingham on Saturday, with Wout Faes and Harvey Barnes amongst senior players looking for a recall to the starting line-up.
Kieran Dewsbury-Hall (gluteal), James Justin, Ricardo Pereira (both Achilles), Jonny Evans (calf), Dennis Praet (rib/hip) Boubakary Soumare (hamstring), James Maddison and Ryan Bertrand (both knee) all remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle drew 1-1 against Leicester in their only previous League Cup tie, but lost 4-2 on penalties in Round Two of 2019-20 edition.
- Leicester are unbeaten in their only previous League Cup visit to St James’ Park (D1, which came in August 2019 as they drew 1-1 with the Magpies but prevailed on penalties.
- Newcastle have lost all five previous Quarter-Final appearances in this competition this century (L5).
- Excluding penalty shootouts, Leicester are winless in their last 11 Carabao Cup ties against fellow top-flight opposition (D9, L2).
Prediction
Having suffered a shock defeat at Sheffield Wednesday following several wasted chances, Newcastle now need to quickly reset and produce a strong reaction if they’re to end their trophyless run with better end product to their strong attacking play if want a semi-final spot.
Their defending though was often chaotic and messy which the Owls superbly punished – despite their opening goal being offside, which is something that Leicester will surely target if they can really pressure the Magpies’ defensive lines.
Leicester though didn’t make light weight of their win at Gillingham because they too were wasteful yet defended well throughout, but crucially looked solid throughout which will boost their confidence following a sluggish return from the World Cup break.
I though do fear that Leicester’s defence will have to bear the brunt of a Newcastle reaction and their Carabao Cup record against fellow top-flight rivals isn’t the best, yet the Magpies have lost all five of their Quarter-Final appearances this century which isn’t a good omen.
On that note, I do feel like this match could be a close contest which goes the distance with the Magpies prevailing on penalties.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-1 Leicester (Newcastle to win on penalties)
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