Read on for this week’s soccer betting previews from the top European leagues, and we’ll provide you with the best soccer picks and the latest odds from the EPL Matchday 25 schedule, the English Carabao Cup Final between Manchester United and Newcastle, and more.
Manchester United FC vs. Newcastle United FC
Sunday, February 26, 2023 – 11:30 AM EST at Wembley Stadium
Manchester United
The Red Devils enter the EFL Cup final in fine form, netting 14 goals in the competition thus far while conceding just two – behind four straight clean sheets.
In addition, Erik ten Hag’s men recently eliminated Barcelona from the Europa League and have shot up the EPL standings to give rivals Man City and table toppers Arsenal an alternative challenger for the Premier League title race.
With zero defeats from their last nine games in all competitions – winning 16 of their previous 20 – Man Utd is one of the most in-form teams in Europe right now.
Newcastle United
Silverware has evaded the Newcastle United trophy room for decades. Fans of the Magpies haven’t witnessed their team winning the FA Cup nearly 70 years ago, finishing three times as runners-up, losing a league cup final, two losses in the Charity Shield, and two second-place finishes in the Premier League.
It could be a monumental weekend for Eddie Howe’s squad this Saturday, as their last trophy win was the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969, now known as the Europa League.
Their lone EFL Cup appearance in 1976 delivered a 2-1 loss to Manchester City. This weekend, they’ll have an opportunity to rectify their losing history versus the red side of Manchester, who were regular rivals of Newcastle during the 1990s.
Pick and Prediction
Newcastle’s early-season dominance has begun to dwindle in the New Year, winning just four of their last 11 games in all competitions. Adding to their worries, first-team goalkeeper Nick Pope will be suspended for Sunday’s cup final, and this team has failed to win against Manchester United in six consecutive meetings.
Manchester United is the rightful favorite at the best sportsbooks, but despite their recent downtrend, we can’t expect Newcastle to roll over.
Newcastle owns the best defensive record in the Premier League – allowing just 15 goals – and the second-best defense in Arsenal has conceded eight more goals than Howe’s side.
Under 2.5 goals has landed in 9 of Newcastle’s previous 11 games in all competitions, and given the magnitude of a cup final, all-out attacks aren’t likely.
Score Prediction: Man Utd 1 – Newcastle Utd 0
Soccer Pick: Under 2.5 Goals (-128) at FanDuel
Leicester City FC vs. Arsenal FC
Saturday, January 25, 2023 – 10:00 AM EST at King Power Stadium
Leicester City
Sitting four points outside of the drop zone in 14th place, Leicester City is still fighting for Premier League survival, and a 3-0 loss to Man Utd last time out means they’ve lost 5 of their last 8 domestic meetings since the World Cup break.
When we dig a little deeper, Leicester has lost 13 of their previous 23 EPL games this term; as basement dwellers, Southampton is the only side to have lost more domestic fixtures.
Arsenal
Taking just one point from fixtures involving Everton, Brentford, and Manchester City at the start of February, the EPL league leaders displayed a drop in form. Still, they bounced back in fashion with a 4-2 success against Aston Villa last weekend.
To Mikel Arteta’s relief, the Gunners have returned to winning ways and collected their 17th win on matchday 24. And with the EPL’s second-best offensive and defensive records, they have the foundations to sail past a vulnerable Leicester squad this weekend.
Pick and Prediction
Head-to-head, Arsenal has won four consecutive EPL games against Leicester, and the home side has managed just four wins against Arsenal from their previous 24 meetings in all competitions.
When you look at the contrasting forms of these two teams alongside Leicester’s poor run of form this term, everything points towards an away win this weekend.
Score Prediction: Leicester 1 – Arsenal 3
Soccer Pick: Arsenal Moneyline (-143) at BetMGM
Extra European Soccer Best Bets
• Tottenham Hotspur vs. Chelsea: Under 2.5 Goals (-125) at Caesars Sportsbook
• Almeria vs. Barcelona: Barcelona to Win & Both Teams to Score (+175) at FanDuel
