Newcastle are so close to securing their first silverware since they won the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969. After losing in the final to Manchester United two years ago, The Magpies will hope this can be their year. The first step will be holding on to the 2-0 lead they take into this semi-final second leg against Arsenal.
After a blistering run of form in the first half of January, the Magpies have faltered somewhat in their goal to finish in the Champions League places, winning two and losing two of their last four. However, after overcoming good teams in Forest and Brentford before winning 2-0 away at the Emirates in this competition, Howe will be confident they can finish the job.
Arsenal will know they have it all to do if they are to overturn a 2-0 deficit away at what is sure to be a raucous St. James' Park tonight. Of course, they are more than capable of doing so, they come into this game on the back of hammering reigning champions Man City 5-1, but they will have to be at their very best.
One thing Mikel Arteta's team won't have to worry about is energy conservation. After being knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round by Man United last month, they've got the weekend off. Newcastle, on the other hand, face a trip to runaway League One leaders Birmingham City in the fourth round.
Newcastle United vs Arsenal Team News
Newcastle will be without Jamaal Lascelles and Harvey Barnes, while Callum Wilson and Nick Pope may be fit enough to be reintroduced after recovering from their respective injuries.
Arsenal continue to soldier on without their talisman Bukayo Saka and key forward Gabriel Jesus, as well as defender Takehiro Tomiyasu. Ben White is said to be close to fitness and may or may not make it into the matchday squad.
Newcastle United vs Arsenal Possible Lineups
Despite Nick Pope having returned to fitness and made the subs bench last time out, Eddie Howe will likely persist with Martin Dubravka in goal. Throwing Pope in at the deep end for such a huge game when he is lacking match sharpness could be costly. The hosts are sure to start as strong a team as possible for one of the biggest games of their season.
Newcastle United Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Dubravka; Livramento, Schar, Botman, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon
With no game this weekend, Arsenal will almost certainly field their best X1 from the very start knowing they have to get a goal early and get themselves back into this tie. Ethan Nwaneri has impressed in the early rounds of the competition and could come in to replace Martinelli. Besides that, it should be the full-strength first team.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Nwaneri, Havertz, Trossard
Be sure to head back to Sporticos an hour before kick-off to get updated official lineups and other stats.
Newcastle United vs Arsenal Prediction
Arsenal will go for it from the first whistle and try to put Newcastle under pressure in front of an expectant St. James' Park crowd. In the end, they might come up just short in a high-scoring tie.
Prediction: Newcastle United 2 - 3 Arsenal
Expect fireworks. Both of these teams possess world-class attacking talents and both will be desperate to book themselves a place in the final at Wembley. This could be a goal fest for the neutral to enjoy.
Fans in the UK can watch Newcastle vs Arsenal on TV and via live streaming with Sky Sports.
