This Time Next Year - Mid-Week Preview

This Time Next Year.. Mid-Week Preview | 7th & 8th January 2025

By Stuart Court January 6, 2025 #ThisTimeNextYear

Welcome back to the This Time Next year blog. Before I get into this weeks Carabao Cup games, let's have a quick look back at how we did with our predictions from the weekend.

There's really only one place to start and that's Anfield. Manchester United finally pulled out a performance of real quality to hold Liverpool to a 2-2 draw. Whilst our score prediction of 4-0 was a long way off, the tip for the game was for there to be a penalty at 2/1 and that rolled in nicely.

Elsewhere, from the other 8 tips we got 3 more correct and with Jefferson Lerma bagging a shot on target also at a cool 2/1 we end up making a small but not insignificant profit to kick us off.

Arsenal v Newcastle United

Arsenal dropped points again at the weekend in a 1-1 draw at The Amex against a very spririted Brighton side but fortunately for them, Liverpool also failed to win and as a result they stay 6 points behind. Ethan Nwaneri scored in just his third start for the Gunners but after limping off, his injury leaves them even more short of attacking options now.

The Eddie Howe Toon Train continues to steam along with another 3 points gained in the early kick off on Saturday after a 2-1 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Aleksander Isak again on the scoresheet along with Anthony Gordon. The latter of which showcased every bit of the young English talent that has us all very excited looking towards the international future. New England boss Thomas Tuchel was in attendance too. I expect him to carry that form into Tuesday's Semi Final and over evens for him to have a shot on target is too good to refuse.

This is really tough to call. I expect Newcastle to field a very strong team and realistically Arsenal should too as we're at the semi final stage but they're struggling with injuries and I wonder if we might see an under strength side as a result. Therefore, I'm sitting on the fence...

Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool

Spurs laboured to another home defeat at the weekend despite taking an early lead through a tremendous team goal finished off by Dominic Solanke. After a spirited second half effort, the crowd chose not to boo the team off the pitch as had been the case in recent weeks. For the team to turn things round we all know they'll need to fans behind them.

Liverpool might have failed to capitalise on Arsenal and Chelsea dropping points at the weekend but they maintained their unbeaten run and still remain comfortably in control of the title race. Cody Gakpo scored again at the weekend and for me he's looking better and better every week. I like him to continue that form on Wednesday but I've added a back up tip incase he's rested.

Whilst I don't believe in reading too much into the volatile nature of Tottenham's league form, it's hard to overlook it completely. The injuries particularly at the back make me fear for them against a Liverpool side that turned in their worst performance of the season at the weekend and still drew 2-2 against a Manchester United side who turned in their best performance. This reds team can score goals and I think they'll score more than Tottenham in this very important first leg.

All in All..

Not a particularly busy week of games but two tasty games to get your teeth into nonethless. Whilst I'm not advertising this as a tip, I've also backed the draw and a Liverpool win as a double because the odds were too good not to do so. Let me know what you choose to do.