BBC pundit Chris Sutton has shared his pre-match thoughts and predictions ahead of today’s cup final at Wembley.
Newcastle will look to end their 70-year domestic trophy drought against Premier League champions elect Liverpool. Eddie Howe will be without Lewis Hall, Sven Botman and Anthony Gordon for the occasion.
Here’s what he’s had to say, discussing a few key battles that could make or break our hopes of silverware!
Former Blackburn and Celtic forward Sutton’s ‘gut feeling’ is that there will be plenty of goals in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final with some interesting match-ups across the park.
Adept one-on-one defender Tino Livramento is likely to replace Hall on the left-hand side of the Newcastle back line and will be faced with the tough test of Mohamed Salah.
Sutton also expects the midfield battle to be pivotal to the outcome of the final, with Tonali, Bruno and Joelinton set to take on Mac Allister, Gravenberch and Szoboszlai.
“We all know how much it would mean for Newcastle to end their long wait for a major trophy, but they have not beaten Liverpool since December 2015, a run of 17 games.
“When you consider the Magpies are without Lewis Hall and Anthony Gordon – their entire first-choice on the left flank – I really don’t see that run ending at Wembley.
“I am expecting Tino Livramento to replace Hall and try to stop Mohamed Salah. Livramento is mobile and quick, but I don’t think he will keep Salah quiet all game.
“It won’t be easy for Liverpool, though. They are without Trent Alexander-Arnold and, with Conor Bradley likely to be sidelined too, they will need to find someone to fill in at right-back.
“The midfield battle will be key, because Newcastle are very good in that area, especially now Joelinton is back alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali, but it is one of Liverpool’s strengths too.
“Arne Slot’s biggest issue is how the Reds will react to the disappointment of going out of the Champions League against Paris St-Germain, but I don’t see them having a hangover from that shootout defeat.
“My gut feeling is that we will see a few goals, and Liverpool will win in 90 minutes.”
Sutton’s prediction: Liverpool 3-2 Newcastle
Eddie Howe has a far from ideal record against Liverpool with just one win and two draws in 21 managerial battles against the Reds.
As the saying goes though, records are made to be broken and that’s a recurring theme heading into the weekend, given our 70 year wait for silverware.
The odds seem to be piling against us as we prepare for Wembley on Sunday, but Newcastle United will never be defeated so they say.
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