EFL Cup Semifinals Odds & Preview

All-EPL Semifinals

Only four EPL teams remain in England’s EFL Cup, which is the first opportunity for earning some hardware during the 2022-23 season. Southampton pulled off a stunning 2-0 upset over Manchester City to advance to the semis.

Southampton will take on Newcastle on Tuesday in the first of a two-legged semifinals fixture. Manchester United and Nottingham Forest will contest the other. We’ll take a closer look at each first leg matchup and the EFL Cup semifinals odds

Semifinals Structure:

The EFL Cup is played as a single-elimination knockout tournament for all rounds apart from the semifinals. So, both semifinals fixtures are contested home and away. The teams that win, on aggregate, will advance to the final at Wembley Stadium on February 26th.

If the aggregate score is level at the end of the second match, two 15 minute extra time periods will be played. If extra time fails to break the deadlock, penalty kicks will determine the winner.

Southampton may be in last place in the Premier League but their cup form has been admirable this EPL season. Following Tuesday’s match vs. Newcastle, they’ll take on Blackpool in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Southampton are massive underdogs to qualify for the final here but this home match is their best opportunity to win.

Newcastle have had the Premier League’s best defense this season and kept eight shutouts in their last nine matches in all competitions.

Newcastle come into Tuesday’s match as ½-goal favorites according to the EFL betting odds. They also show both a -125 ATS and moneyline price. The Magpies did defeat Southampton 4-1 at St. Mary’s already this season, scoring with all four of their shots on target.

Since then, they’ve gotten striker Alexander Isak back from injury and pose more of a threat. Southampton impressively defeated Manchester City 2-0 to advance to the semifinals and have won three of their last four matches in all competitions.

The Saints sit at -105 odds to cover the spread and just +345 odds to win at home. Meanwhile, a draw comes in at +260 EFL Cup semifinals odds but Newcastle have won on three of their last four trips to Southampton. Southampton’s Che Adams is the joint-leading scorer in the EFL Cup so far, though, with four goals.

With how good Newcastle’s defense has been, under 2½ goals have a -130 price. Newcastle are heavy favorites to win, on aggregate, as they show -800 odds to qualify for the final. Bettors may also take Southampton at +425 odds to advance to February’s final. The second leg will be played on Tuesday, January 31st at 3:00 p.m. EST at St. James’ Park in Newcastle.

Steve Cooper’s Nottingham Forest have emerged from the Premier League relegation zone with a four-match unbeaten streak. Forest’s Sam Surridge scored a late equalizer to preserve a 1-1 draw vs. AFC Bournemouth on Saturday. Forest also outlasted Wolves in penalties to advance to the EFL Cup semifinals.

Meanwhile, Manchester United have the shortest EFL Cup outright odds, at -120. They’re now winless in their last two matches, in all competitions, but took Premier League leaders Arsenal down to the wire on Sunday. Marcus Rashford was on target once again for United but they fell 3-2 to a late Eddie Nketiah winner.

Manchester United have cruised through this competition so far, by outscoring opponents 9-2 through three matches. Even on the road, the EFL Cup semifinals odds list them as one-goal favorites for the first leg. Manchester United enter Wednesday’s match at +105 odds to cover, while Forest are -135 favorites to cover. United’s moneyline sits at -160 odds, while Forest show a +450 price to win and a draw displays +275 odds.

Sunday’s match was quite a draining one for United and they’re running short on forwards at the moment. Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho are struggling with injuries and are day-to-day. Wout Weghorst struggled to adapt to the pace of the game on Sunday but he could once again be who Erik ten Hag calls on. Nottingham Forest also have their fair share of injuries, with attackers Jesse Lingard and Taiwo Awoniyi sidelined.

Goalkeeper Dean Henderson, on loan from United, is also out. Man United have scored in their last 17 matches, in all competitions, and over 2½ goals sits at -120 odds.

These teams will meet for the second leg at Old Trafford on Wednesday, February 1st at 3:00 p.m. EST. United enter the first leg at -1200 odds to qualify for the final.

Meanwhile, massive underdogs Nottingham Forest come in at +650 odds.

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