Carabao Cup 2025/26 semi-finals: Newcastle handed tough Man City test

Carabao Cup holders Newcastle United have been drawn against Manchester City in the semi-finals of this season’s competition.

Newcastle defeated Fulham 2-1 at St James’ Park to secure their place in the last four, while City triumphed 2-0 at home to Brentford.

Chelsea will face either Arsenal or Crystal Palace in the other last-four tie. The Blues claimed a 3-1 victory at Cardiff City in their quarter-final tie.

Read on as we preview the semi-final ties, before assessing which team will lift the trophy at Wembley Stadium in March.

City fancied to sweep Newcastle aside

Man City have been untroubled on their way to the semi-final and are rated as the favourites by online bookmakers to win the League Cup for the ninth time.

The best football betting sites rate them as 2/1 shots to emerge victorious, odds which look exceptional value given their track record in the competition.

Comfortable victories over Huddersfield Town, Swansea City and Brentford have fired Pep Guardiola’s side into the semi-final.

They will be gunning for revenge against Newcastle having suffered a 2-1 defeat in the Premier League at St James’ Park last month.

City are expected to be too strong for Newcastle over two legs, particularly given the respective squads available to each club.

While City are stacked with talented options, the Magpies have been battling against injuries to key players throughout the season.

City are strongly fancied to end Newcastle’s interest in the competition and book a place in the final at Wembley.

Chelsea awaiting outcome of all-London tie

While Chelsea’s road to the last four has been more arduous, they have deservedly reached this stage of the competition for the second time in three seasons.

Enzo Maresca’s side have won at Lincoln City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Cardiff to book their place in the semi-final.

The Blues were given plenty to think about by Cardiff in the previous round, but ultimately got the job done after a breathless tie in Wales.

Chelsea face either Arsenal or Palace in the semi-final, and picking a winner in that all-London clash is no easy task.

The Gunners have defeated Port Vale and Brighton & Hove Albion without conceding a goal and are the bookies favourites to win the game.

However, Palace’s magnificent 3-0 victory at Liverpool in round four highlights why it would be foolish to underestimate their chances of upsetting the odds.

Arsenal are undefeated in their last eight meetings with Palace in all competitions (D1, L7), but could struggle to improve that record if manager Mikel Arteta fields a weakened side.

Cityzens look a good bet to lift the trophy

Given they know what it takes to win major silverware, Man City are an outstanding bet at odds of 2/1 to win the League Cup this season.

Newcastle sprang a surprise in this competition last term, but have struggled for consistency this time around and will struggle to match City over two games.

Chelsea are fancied to progress from the other half of the draw, regardless of whether they face Arsenal or Palace in the semi-final.

The Gunners’ primary focus is the Premier League, while Palace’s squad is being stretched due to their Europa Conference League commitments.

The semi-final first legs are scheduled to be played in mid-January, with the return fixtures in early February. The final will be staged at Wembley in March.

Carabao Cup 2025/26 – Latest outright odds

• Manchester City – 2/1
• Arsenal – 13/5
• Chelsea – 4/1
• Newcastle United – 11/2
• Crystal Palace – 18/1

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