Carabao Cup

It's Carabao Cup semi-final time — Newcastle and Manchester United are the favourites to progress but can their opponents spring a surprise?

[Casemiro](https://theathletic.com/football/player/casemiro-wQ6Q8xViV8kqizDc/) was forced out of the defeat by [Arsenal](https://theathletic.com/football/team/arsenal/) with a one-match Premier League ban so he will be available for selection again on Wednesday evening. [Dean Henderson](https://theathletic.com/football/player/dean-henderson-ykbiJB1KvfXx9KDL/) who was the hero of the quarter-final having saved two penalties from [Ruben Neves](https://theathletic.com/football/player/ruben-neves-EPq8p3htT12DEefc/) and Joe Hodge. Whereas, by keeping the semi-finals at the stadiums of the involved teams, it represents a financial gain rather than a loss. January and February are typically busy months in the English football calendar. Using Wembley for Carabao Cup semi-finals would make the two competitions far too similar. [Sam Surridge](https://theathletic.com/football/player/sam-surridge-uWCVjxahGtG1gBzZ/), who scored an equaliser for Forest at Bournemouth, could start. For the first six years of the competition’s lifetime, the final was two-legged. After beating lower-league opposition in the last two rounds, the semi-final poses a different challenge for Erik ten Hag and his players. A cup run might sometimes be seen as a distraction but it has helped continue to build momentum for Eddie Howe’s side. No one gave Nathan Jones’ side a chance in the quarter-final, yet they managed to beat Manchester City 2-0 and didn’t concede a shot on target. They go into Tuesday’s first leg bottom of the Premier League and in danger of relegation after 11 years at the top level. On Tuesday, St Mary’s hosts the first of the semi-finals.

The lowdown on Southampton v Newcastle and Nottingham Forest v Manchester United.

The winger, who has not featured since a 1-1 draw with Chelsea in October, is still some way short of fitness and was not included in United’s matchday squad at Arsenal at the weekend, so this game may be too soon for him. However, one of those defeats was [a 3-0 loss to Manchester United](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/dec/27/manchester-united-nottingham-forest-premier-league-match-report), their opponents in this semi-final. [Forest beat Wolves in a penalty shootout](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jan/11/nottingham-forest-wolves-carabao-cup-quarter-final-match-report) in the quarter-finals. United are in the middle of a hectic run of fixtures, so Ten Hag may bring in a few squad players. Aaron Wan-Bissaka should also keep his spot at right-back in the absence of Diogo Dalot, while Harry Maguire may be handed a rare start at the heart of the defence alongside Lisandro Martínez. [a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jan/21/bournemouth-nottingham-forest-premier-league-match-repor) on Saturday, which gives them a record of just two defeats in their last 11 games. [Southampton’s three-game winning streak to an end](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jan/21/southampton-aston-villa-premier-league-match-report). Newcastle have not won a major domestic trophy since 1955 – and they have never won the League Cup – so this semi-final is huge for Howe and his team. Claude Puel led the club to the [League Cup final in 2017](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/feb/26/manchester-united-southampton-efl-cup-final-match-report), when they were beaten 3-2 by Manchester United. [Southampton beat Manchester City in the quarter-finals](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jan/11/southampton-manchester-city-carabao-cup-quarter-final-match-report) in some style and Jones will be looking for a similar performance when Newcastle visit St Mary’s in the first leg of this semi-final. James Ward-Prowse has impressed in a more advanced role for Southampton recently and should continue to play behind Che Adams, the joint-top scorer in the competition this season with four goals. The Brazilian will need to be at his very best to keep the Newcastle left flank at bay.

Newcastle head to Southampton on Tuesday in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie; the Magpies have not won a major honour since their FA Cup ...

I reckon the weakened team that lost to Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup was down to the fixture schedule. He made big changes for the FA Cup trip to Sheffield Wednesday and Newcastle were sent tumbling out - only their second defeat of the season. It was a similar story against Leicester in the quarter-final. Ninety per cent of the fans I've spoken to would rather win the Carabao Cup than finish in the top four. I think he could freshen things up slightly by bringing in Allan Saint-Maximin and/or Alexander Isak from the start, but that wouldn't be weakening the team. The team on the park still have work to do, and the fans understand that. Football is a matter of life and death to many Newcastle fans, it's ingrained in their DNA. That's why, irrespective of what happens at St Mary's, next Tuesday at St James' Park promises to be a very special occasion. Generations of Newcastle fans haven't seen their side lift a trophy; a full generation hasn't even watched them compete in a semi-final. The fans are enjoying going to matches, the city is awash with black and white. If the club's new owners were to end their trophy hoodoo so early into their reign, and earlier than planned or expected, who knows what could follow in the coming years. It's maybe not the free-flowing football witnessed under Keegan, but Howe has instilled a sturdy, pragmatic element that most teams are finding almost impossible to break down.

The Reds will be mindful of two alterations to the matchday proceedings for the rest of their League Cup campaign.

They are already set to play eight games in February with an average rest time of four days between each clash. Three days before the final they play Barcelona at home in the second leg of their Europa League knock-out tie. [United](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/manchester-united-fc) will be hoping that they get the job done in regulation time amid their packed schedule. Newcastle and Southampton play in the other semi-final. In former rounds, games that were level went straight to penalties without the added 30 minutes. The no-VAR ruling was in operation for all teams in former rounds, unlike the FA Cup where grounds that can facilitate the system are allowed to use it.

Manchester United will take on Nottingham Forest in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday night - with a place in next month's Wembley ...

[Erik ten Hag](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/erik-ten-hag) has confirmed [Diogo Dalot](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/diogo-dalot), [Jadon Sancho](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/jadon-sancho) and [Anthony Martial](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/anthony-martial) will not play against [Nottingham Forest](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/nottingham-forest-fc) on Wednesday. Ten Hag's side are the favourites to win the tournament, with [Newcastle](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/newcastle-united-fc) and [Southampton](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/southampton-fc) competing in the other last-four clash. [Donny van de Beek](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/donny-van-de-beek), who suffered a season-ending knee injury earlier this month. On Lingard, Cooper said: "He wasn’t quite ready at the weekend to start, but definitely ready to be involved... "Whether there's a bit of a virus going around or what not, we'll get to the bottom of it," said Cooper when asked about Yates. "We thought Dean's injury might be a lot longer than it's going to be," said Copper on Tuesday. What we decide to go with, we’ll see, but he’s back in the mix.” "He couldn't have played in these semis anyway. [Manchester United](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/manchester-united-fc) will travel to the City Ground for the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final. Neither Dalot nor Martial has returned to training after sustaining injuries earlier this month. Sancho has not played since October after missing out on England's World Cup squad. [Manchester City](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/manchester-city-fc).

A trio of Manchester United players are set to miss this weeks Carabao Cup game against Nottingham Forest.

The English winger is closing in on his return to action. United are winless in their last two games following a draw to Crystal Palace and a loss to Arsenal. Manchester United will play the first leg of their Carabao Cup Semi Final against fellow Premier League side Nottingham Forest this week.

We're approaching crunch time in the 2022/23 Carabao Cup. For Southampton, Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, and Manchester United, a Wembley final is just 180 ...

Thus, managers can make up to five substitutions across three windows, with half-time not counting as a substitute window. In 2019/20, the EFL opted against using VAR before the semi-final stage as the technology was only installed at Premier League grounds. Andre Marriner is on VAR duty at St.

James Ward-Prowse has scored four goals in Southampton's last five matches Credit: Alex Livesey/Getty Images. Key moments. Chosen by us to get you up to ...

Southampton’s mini resurgence came to an end with a disappointing 1-0 home loss to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday. That’s over 67 years of hurt in the north east. Me and my coaching team feel passionately about it that we want to make the final, but we have to navigate these two games. Deeper squads, European football and recent successes perhaps legitimise this but it does often take away from what should be an exciting spectacle. "We're delighted to be where we are, but the semi-final itself isn't enough. I wouldn’t say it’s a distraction, it’s not, it’s another challenge.

Follow Sportsmail's live blog for the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg clash between Southampton and Newcastle.

Mary's - with a poor result at home tonight hardly likely to help with that. Trippier now over the ball... Mislav Orsic is an interesting signing. Nothing in that one at all. Reminder, that's only half-time in the cup clash, with St. Still a brilliant tempo to this one, and plenty of battling for possession in the middle of the park. He sets it off to Willock on the edge of the box on the left, but he skies his effort. He's up on his knees but the medics have been called on as a healthy precaution, and he's quickly up on his feet and ready to continue. Joelinton has it in the back of the net and he is convinced that he's scored, but it's not given - there's a hint of a handball in the process. VAR rules it out! It's a really good ball and Adams gets on the end of it, but it's a fantastic stop from Pope down to his left to keep it out! He had done brilliantly to get up after going down on the edge of the box and race into space in the penalty area and get on the end of the cross back in, but it looks to have bounced off his hand on the way to the goal.

The Carabao Cup Semi-Finals are right around the corner and a place in the Final at Wembley is at stake!

- Nottingham Forest have progressed from all six of their Carabao Cup semi-final ties, with this their first appearance in the last four since 1991-92. - This will be Manchester United's 17th appearance in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, with only Liverpool appearing in more (18). The last Manchester United player to score 5+ goals in a single Carabao Cup campaign was Carlos Tévez in 2008-09 (6). It's their longest run of away wins in the competition's history. This is their first home game against the Red Devils since an 8-1 defeat in February 1999. - Newcastle haven't won an away Carabao Cup match against a Premier League opponent since October 2014, and a 2-0 win at Manchester City.