Barnet vs Newport County Prediction: The Bees to buzz

Barnet and Newport County begin their 2025/26 campaigns with a meeting at The Hive in the preliminary round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday (19:00 BST, Sky Sports+), with both League 2 teams knowing that Championship outfit Millwall await the winner in the next round.

Newport just about held on to their EFL status last season, while Barnet have returned to League 2 after a seven-year absence. Below you will find my Barnet vs Newport County predictions, accompanied by the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Both sides are set to name a handful of debutants for this clash, but both managers will be wary given their League 2 opening fixtures take place at the weekend.

For Barnet, Joe Hugill has joined on loan from Manchester United, and he is expected to spearhead the attack, while Idris Kanu and Rhys Browne may support him in the final third. Oli Hawkins, a fresh and experienced addition from Gillingham, is also another option to lead the line.

Captain Danny Collinge is likely to feature in the heart of defence, while he could be joined by new signing Romoney Crichlow.

Newport have a Man United loanee of their own in Habeeb Ogunneye, and he might be set to make his debut on the right side of defence.

Gerard Garner is set to line up as the front man for the Welsh side, while there is also expected to be a spot in attack for Michael Spellman.

Matt Smith, a free transfer from St. Johnstone, will be pushing to make his competitive debut in the middle of the park on Tuesday.

Barnet vs Newport County Odds

Barnet are 8/13, which has an implied probability of 61.9%, to win this tie in 90 minutes, and they have won six of their past eight competitive matches at The Hive.

Two of Newport's previous four competitive fixtures have ended in a stalemate, and the draw can be backed at 3/1.

The Exiles are 9/2 to prevail in regulation time, having won the last head-to-head meeting 4-1 in an FA Cup second round replay back in December 2023.

There have been goals at both ends in the past two contests between the two teams and both teams to score is marketed at 4/5 for Tuesday.

Barnet and both teams to score @ 23/10

Barnet are a club full of confidence following their National League title win, with the Bees picking up 102 points last season. They have big ambitions for their return to the EFL and I think we will get a glimpse of what we can expect from them in 2025/26.

You can't ignore this kind of momentum, which has served Wrexham, Stockport, and even Chesterfield well following their promotions back to League 2. They are likely a force to be reckoned with this term and Newport will be wary of that.

The visitors were able to avoid relegation last term but another season of struggle is anticipated. The Hive is going to be a tough place for them to go as Barnet went unbeaten here in the National League in the previous campaign.

The Bees will want to make a statement in their first match of the new season and I think they will prove too much for the Exiles to handle. However, as it is the start of the season, I think there will be some time before defences are in perfect condition, so I do think this will be a contest in which both teams find the net - which has struck in the last two meetings between these clubs.

Today's Football Fixtures

Over 2.5 goals @ 4/5

Given Barnet's attacking quality shown last term, in which they scored 97 goals in their National League title win, I don't think this cup tie will be short of goals on Tuesday evening.

Each of the hosts' past three competitive appearances produced at least three goals, while over 2.5 goals was a successful bet in four of the last seven meetings between the two sides across all competitions.

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