League Cup Finals: Trophies in England and Scotland
The first trophy of the season, the League Cup, is what makes English and Scottish teams different. The possibility of a Quadruple is always there and all teams big and small dream of it. This season United is the only team with a chance of pulling some version of it. They will have to turn the league around and settle with the European trophy not being the Champions League, but for now, the dream is alive. So let’s dive into both finals we have for today.
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Scottish League Cup Final Prediction
You might not realise it, but the Scottish League Cup is older than the English one. Because what does a football system dominated by just two teams needs? Yet another competition for them to fight for. Joking aside, you might expect that the two Scottish superpowers have claimed the lion’s share of League Cup titles. Rangers have 27, Celtic have 20, and all other teams combine for 29 titles. Still better than the League’s duopoly, if you ask me.
As a matter of fact, this will be just the third final in a decade (in any competition) between Rangers and Celtic. It is a less common treat than most people think and all eyes will be at Hampden Park this afternoon.
Celtic are looking for their seventh League Cup title in nine years, whereas the Gers want to put an end to an 11-year drought.
Both teams will use their best possible starting XI. And when that happens, Celtic are better. Much better. This season the difference between the two is big and this is something obvious. The Japanese-powered Celtic offence brings terror to all defences in the land and I think this will prove correct again today. I am backing them to win it in 90 minutes.
EPL Cup Final Prediction
If this Manchester United vs Newcastle League Cup Final was a couple of months ago, my take would be different. As would be the odds. But the Magpies are on a bit of a slump (especially offensively, as Miguel Almiron’s hot streak was apparently a fluke), while the Red Devils are absolutely killing it. They are the hottest team in England. Erik ten Hag has brought his philosophy to the club and he seems destined to lead United back to glory.
And then you have the goalkeeper issue. We have all read it. Loris Karius will be between the sticks for Newcastle. His first start in England since that Champions League Final that still haunts him.
I personally never thought of him as a great goalkeeper. He was half decent, but after that evening in Kyiv, in 2018, he is a shadow of his former self. In the five years to follow that night, he has been sent on a loan to Besiktas for two years (where he did okay, but still made some horrifically bad mistakes), plus one year to Union Berlin, where he served as Andreas Luthe’s backup. When he got injured, Karius played five games and did fine. Now he belongs to Newcastle, serving either as the third or fourth-choice goalkeeper, but fate him had him be the only option for today’s Final.
I appreciate a good redemption story. It would be magnificent for him to be the hero to give his club the trophy. But I don’t believe in fairy tales. Everyone around him states that he never recovered from what happened to him in 2018. I fear that he will crumble under the pressure of the final and this might be the last time we see him play at a high level. I am backing United and super-hot Marcus Rashford to win in regulation time.
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| Scottish League Cup - 26/02/2023 3:00 pm | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DATE - LEAGUE | HOME | AWAY | TIP | ODDS | CONFIRMED | |
| Scottish League Cup - 26/02/2023 3:00 pm | Rangers | Celtic | Celtic to Win | 2.09 |  |
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| English League Cup - 26/02/2023 4:30 pm | ||||||
| DATE - LEAGUE | HOME | AWAY | TIP | ODDS | CONFIRMED | |
| English League Cup - 26/02/2023 4:30 pm | Man United | Newcastle | Man Utd to Win | 2.22 | |
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Bio: John R. Baldwin
John R. Baldwin is a well-known figure in the world of football. A lifelong fan of the sport, John has dedicated his career to sharing his knowledge and passion for football with others. Despite his lack of talent as a player, John has made a name for himself as a professional tipster and commentator on the sport.
For the past decade, John has been working as a blogger and radio show host, providing expert analysis and predictions on football games. He has built a large following thanks to his in-depth understanding of the sport and his ability to provide accurate betting tips.
He is known for his ability to provide clear and insightful analysis of the sport, and his passion for football shines through in everything he does. Whether he's on his blog or on the radio, John's goal is always the same: to share his love of football with as many people as possible.
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