MY ACCOUNT
Recommended bets:
– Back Newcastle to beat Bournemouth
– Back Leicester to beat MK Dons
– Back Southampton and Lincoln to Draw
Newcastle’s home clash with Bournemouth is one of four League Cup fourth-round ties taking place on Tuesday and the Magpies, back in action after the World Cup, look primed and ready to progress.
A place in the quarter-finals is at stake for these eight teams on Tuesday and having seen Argentina overcome France on penalties to lift the Jules Rimet trophy on Sunday, there could be some more penalty drama on the domestic stage in England.
Newcastle vs Bournemouth (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
The stats
Newcastle have only suffered one defeat across all competitions this season — a 2-1 loss at Liverpool at the end of August — and they are on an 11-game unbeaten streak in competitive fixtures heading into Tuesday’s contest.
The Magpies have not lost at home all season — winning six (one on penalties) and drawing three — while they have only tasted defeat once at St James’ Park from their last 18 competitive assignments.
After four straight defeats in the Premier League, Bournemouth won their final two matches to go into the World Cup break on a high, beating Everton 4-1 in the League Cup and then sticking three past the same opposition without reply in England’s top flight.
The Cherries have failed to beat Newcastle in their last six attempts, with the south-coast outfits last victory over the Magpies coming in November 2017 at St James’ Park.
Predictions
Even though Newcastle are without the injured Alexander Isak and could also be without Callum Wilson, Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar, there is enough confidence and belief in this squad to get the job done against Bournemouth.
Eddie Howe has got the Magpies playing some excellent football this season and he has guided the club to third in the Premier League, leaving them seven points adrift of leaders Arsenal.
Newcastle boast the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League this season and they will be confident of overcoming Bournemouth, who are winless in their last four away games. A Magpies win to zero is priced at 5/4 with LiveScore Bet.
MK Dons vs Leicester (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
The stats
Leicester are on a three-game winning run heading into Tuesday’s contest, beating Everton, Newport County and West Ham all to nil, while they have also racked up three straight away victories without conceding.
MK Dons ended a four-match winless streak with a 2-0 victory at Portsmouth last time out, but they are still languishing in the relegation zone of League One and have won just one of their last four home assignments.
Predictions
The Dons’ main focus is on surviving the drop this season and with a huge clash against Forest Green coming up on Boxing Day, they are not expected to field their strongest starting XI for the visit of the Foxes.
Leicester are without some first-team players for the trip, but the likes of Marc Albrighton, Harvey Barnes and Jamie Vardy are set to start and the extra quality in the final third should see them through this test comfortably.
With the defence picking up in recent weeks for Leicester, a win to zero at 19/20 with LiveScore Bet appeals.
Southampton vs Lincoln (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
The stats
Southampton have won just one of their last five matches across all competitions and they even needed penalties to pick up that victory, beating Sheffield Wednesday on spot-kicks in the last round of this tournament.
Lincoln have been building momentum over recent weeks and they have suffered just one defeat from their last seven games ahead of their trip to St Mary’s on Tuesday evening.
Predictions
Southampton have not played since a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool in November and there is the worry several of their players could be a touch rusty, while it is unclear which of their World Cup stars will be available for selection.
Also, the Saints’ main goal this season is to avoid Premier League relegation and this looks like a great opportunity for Lincoln to take their top-flight opponents all the way in this one.
The Imps are on a good run of form and there is every chance they could get the draw in 90 minutes, priced at 9/2 with LiveScore Bet, before then having the lottery of a penalty shootout.
