EFL Cup Final Tips February 26

Over 90 matches have been played across the country that have featured a total of 239 goals and now it comes down to this. Manchester United will face Newcastle United in a League Cup Final that's got a very 1990s feel about it.

In one corner you've got Erik ten Hag's Red Devils with loads of cup experience, Champions League winners at their disposal and history on their side. In the other, there is a Newcastle team that is enjoying their new-found success with one of the most football-mad groups of supporters behind them.

The men in red are in great form after beating Barcelona on Thursday, which is why you can get them at 2.24 to win the EFL Cup in normal time. But the Toon Army are desperate to end a trophy drought that stretches all the way back to 1955 and shouldn’t be immediately written off.

The form guide

Manchester United have lost just one of their last 18 games, and won seven of their last nine since losing to Arsenal. As already mentioned, they deserve to be favourites.

Meanwhile, Newcastle’s four wins in 11 games across all competitions sees them at 3.65 to win in normal time and 2.58 to lift the trophy. They have only scored more than one goal on two occasions in 2023, and it feels like they will need a bunch against the free-scoring Red Devils, who have recorded two or more strikes in each of their last 10 games.

United and Newcastle have both conceded a fair few goals of late, though, so both teams to score at 1.85 is worth a look. However, I would prefer to back over 2.5 goals.

The key battle

Eddie Howe's men have been solid at the back all season and consequently proved hard to beat. However, the loss of regular starting goalkeeper Nick Pope due to suspension is a major blow. They're now priced at 5.1 to keep a clean sheet, and with Marcus Rashford running at their defence that is no surprise.

Given his blistering form of late it feels pretty smart to consider him in the anytime goalscorer market at 2.52. Even though he didn’t net against Barca, he has recorded six goals in his last six games – and there’s no other attacker in this game that is more likely to find the back of the net.

Back-up keeper Lorius Karius will be thrown in at the deep end when he makes his debut for the club, and he will hope that this final is nothing like the last one he played in. Rashford should be licking his lips.

A Wembley classic?

These two sides met in the 1998/99 FA Cup final, which resulted in a 2-0 Manchester United win, but recent results suggest this could be far more competitive and thrilling.

Newcastle have only failed to score in three games this calendar year, while Erik ten Hag’s five-time League Cup winners have seen over 2.5 goals cash in 12 of their last 15 matches. Give me the over and Rashford anytime goalscorer!