Newcastle vs Wimbledon Prediction: It’s Tonali-time

The Carabao Cup third round has one final fixture to take place following the flooding down at Plough Lane. This has meant that AFC Wimbledon’s home tie with Newcastle has been switched to the North East and is scheduled for Tuesday night at 19:45, live on Sky Sports+

Chelsea at home await the winner and Neil Monnery expects a home win but where is the betting value? He delves into that in his Newcastle vs Wimbledon Predictions…

Newcastle fans will watch their side at home in a cup competition for the first time in a year after the switch of venue for this tie. Eddie Howe’s team had away draws throughout their FA Cup run to the quarter finals last season. Then following a home win against Manchester City in the second round of this competition, they played every game on the road en route to the last eight.

It has been a strange campaign up on the Tyne as the Geordies have only tasted defeat once but have struggled to find the energy or the quality that fans have been accustomed to. Saturday’s 1-1 draw with the Champions was without a doubt their best 90 minutes of the young season and gave an indication that maybe they are righting the ship somewhat and the hangover from a summer of upheaval is starting to alleviate.

Things have been more positive down in South West London however, with Johnnie Jackson’s side sitting pretty in a play-off position despite having played two fewer games than everyone around them. The early-season form has been strengthened by an excellent defensive record, having kept clean sheets in four of their EFL League Two matches.

The Dons made it to this stage after besting Premier League Ipswich on penalties. Two goals from their only two attempts on target that night was the height of efficiency for Jackson’s men. It was a similar method of victory for Howe’s side as they needed spot kicks to get past Nottingham Forest following a 1-1 draw on the backlash of the River Trent.

Team News:

Newcastle are expected to name a strong side as they look to progress in the competition. They will however be without Alexander Isak, who has a broken toe and Callum Wilson remains a long-term absentee. Summer signing Will Osula is expected to get his first competitive start in the black and white up front.

Paraguayan international Miguel Almiron is set to be named in the starting line-up for the first time this season and a decision will be made on whether Sandro Tonali can play two games in three days as the midfielder works his way back to match sharpness following his 10-month absence for a ban.

The visitors have no new injury concerns, seeing as they haven’t played since September 21 as both of their home fixtures have been postponed in that period.

Newcastle vs Wimbledon Odds

It isn’t exactly a shock that the home side are overwhelming betting favourites for Tuesday’s match. Newcastle can be backed at 1/6 to win the game in the regulation 90. A draw is a 13/2 shot, with a shock away win available to back at 16/1.

Our traders lean towards Both Teams to Score not being a winner, with No priced-up at 4/6 and Yes being 11/10.

More than three goals are very much expected, with the Over 2.5 sitting at just 2/5 on Betfred. Over 3.5 is 1/1 and feels a much more interesting play.

Alexander Isak is the shortest price in the anytime goalscorer market but the Swede will not play, so best to by-pass him. Will Osula will get some support at 4/5 and Miguel Almiron’s return to the starting XI sees him at 13/8 to find the back of the net.

Omar Bugiel, Joe Pigott and Mathew Stevens are all available to back at 9/2. All three are the top choices in this market for the visitors.

*You can check out all of the Football Odds we offer over at betfred.com

Bet 1 - Newcastle United to win both halves @ 21/20

The home side are such a short-price that it is tough to tip them to just win the game, so this selection makes it slightly more interesting. Newcastle haven’t won both halves in any match so far this season but Wimbledon are the worst team they’ve faced.

I have a slight trepidation as my knowledge of Will Osula’s abilities are very limited but the Toon should create enough chances throughout the encounter to give themselves a chance to win this with relative ease.

Anytime a top-10 Premier League team plays an EFL League Two side at home with a pretty strong squad, you have to like their chances of this bet being a winner.