Good morning! Cup action steals the show this week, with heavyweights from Italy and England closing in on the coveted silverware. My name is Pardeep Cattry and I have a trophy-themed update to start the week.
📺 Football correction
All US and Eastern times
Monday January 6
🇮🇹 Italian Super Cup: Inter vs. AC Milan, 2 p.m. ➡️ CBS Sports Network, Paramount+
🏴 EPL: Wolves v Nottingham Forest, 3 p.m. ➡️ USA Network
🏴 Championship: QPR v Luton, 3pm ➡️ Paramount+CBS Sports Golazo Network
Tuesday January 7
🏴 EFL Cup: Arsenal v Newcastle, 3 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
⚽ The front line
🇮🇹 Derby della Madonnina, Supercoppa Italiana edition
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A trophy is on the line in the latest edition of the Derby della Madonnina, with Inter’s meeting with AC Milan on Monday in Saudi Arabia in the Supercoppa Italiana final could be a defining moment for both teams this season.
The final is a showcase of contrasts, as Inter enter the match on the back of a five-game winning streak while Milan struggle for consistency after making a managerial change shortly before the new year. While Inter are favorites to win a fourth consecutive Supercoppa, the team to watch on Monday is arguably Milan as Sergio Conceicao prepares for his second match in charge of the team. As Francesco Porzio writes, he made a promising debut with a 2-1 win over Juventus in Friday’s semi-final, but has a chance to really make a statement in Monday’s final.
- Serving size: “Conceicao’s first match was the 2-1 victory in the semi-final against Juventus where AC Milan showed all their difficulties of this first part of the season but also a reaction in the second half which led the team to the quick return also thanks to USMNT star Christian Pulisic, who scored the 1-1 with a perfect penalty in the match that saw his return from injury, Pulisic missed the entire month of December and his return is. certainly one of the best news for the new AC Milan manager, who can still count on the Rossoneri’s best player in this first part of the 2024-25 campaign A potential victory in the derby and in the Supercoppa final. can make things a lot easier for the former FC Porto coach.
Pulisic will take center stage as Milan aim for their first trophy since 2021, largely because he has been one of the team’s most reliable players during an up-and-down season. He has nine goals and five assists so far this season, tied at the top of the goalscoring charts with Tijjani Reijnders, his last coming from the penalty spot in the semi-final. While Monday’s match offers a chance for a course correction for Milan, the stakes are just as high for Pulisic individually as he targets his first trophy since arriving in Italy at the start of last season. The Supercoppa would not be his first club trophy, but his increasingly important role with Milan now gives him the opportunity to be one of the main figures in a trophy-winning team, a goal he ‘is fixed in pre-season.
The American’s form gives Milan a fighting chance, especially as Inter’s main talisman has been unable to match last season’s success. Lautaro Martinez has scored just seven goals this campaign, a drop after netting 27 times last season that could be attributed to injuries and lingering fatigue from a busy summer with Argentina. Although Inter are winning more often these days, he hasn’t played a big role with just one goal in his last 11 games for the club. The big question ahead of Monday’s clash is whether or not Inter can secure another win without him, while Mehdi Taremi could have a chance to impress with injuries to Marcus Thuram and Joaquin Correa limiting their availability.
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🔗 Midfield link-up play
Arsenal and Newcastle kick off EFL Cup semi-finals
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The EFL Cup’s two-legged semi-finals begin on Tuesday at the Emirates Stadium in London, where Arsenal will host Newcastle United in a match between two talented teams in complicated form.
The Gunners are second in the Premier League and unbeaten in their last 13 games, a sign that Mikel Arteta’s side remain one of the most stable teams on the continent. They head into the new year a little thin, however: Bukayo Saka’s hamstring injury will keep him out for a few months, while midfielder Ethan Nwaneri will miss a few weeks with a muscle injury. Arteta may have to be somewhat creative with his options up top, although he will reunite with Kai Havertz after the Germany international recovers from illness.
How Arsenal’s attack will function without Saka, who has missed all the festive matches, remains a major concern as the Gunners aim for their first trophy since the 2020 FA Cup. Although Arteta’s squad is not known to accumulate shots, their 1-1 draw at Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday wasn’t exactly encouraging – they only put three of their nine shots on target, mustering 0.88 expected goal going forward of road. The challenge could be considerably tougher against Newcastle on Tuesday, as the visitors boast an impressive defensive record this season.
To some extent, Newcastle might also have momentum on their side – they have won their last six games, outsourcing the opposition 18 to two along the way. The quality of opposition will be different on Tuesday than it has been for most of this series, and Saturday’s 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur was far from their best performance. Eddie Howe’s side capitalized on two errors from a depleted Spurs side down to their fifth-choice centre-back and third-choice goalkeeper, and essentially ceded the second half to them as the Ange Postecoglou’s team threatened to equalize which never came.
Although they came out on top this weekend, Tuesday’s game against the Gunners will provide another real test of Newcastle’s mettle as they aim for a top-four finish in the Premier League and the Premier League’s maiden trophy. team since 1955.
🔗 Best Stories
🇺🇸 Robinson beats Pulisic: Antonee Robinson beat Christian Pulisic to win the American Soccer Player of the Year award, becoming the first defender to win the award since 2006.
🇪🇸 Madrid survives Valencia: Real Madrid came from behind to beat Valencia 2-1 on Friday, completing a comeback following Vinicius Junior’s dramatic red card.
🔴 Draw between Liverpool and United: Manchester United held Liverpool to a 2-2 draw on Sunday, scoring the first result of the declaration under the leadership of the new manager Ruben Amorim.
👎 The Spurs are still hesitating: Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou was left “broken” after his side’s 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday, saying his team “deserved to win”.
🔵🔴 The registration drama in Barcelona: Here’s a breakdown of Barcelona’s struggle to sign Dani Olmo, which is currently playing out in court as the club files a third appeal after two failed attempts.
❓ Man City’s fixes: With the January transfer window officially open, here’s what Manchester City should do to turn things around during a surprisingly poor season.
🏅 Messi’s latest award: Lionel Messi received the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Saturday, but the World Cup winner was not in attendance at the White House due to scheduling conflicts.
💰 The back line
💵 Best Bets
- Supercoppa Italiana final: Inter v AC Milan, Monday, 2 p.m.
💰 THE CHOICE: Christian Pulisic scores (+400) – If AC Milan want to win their first trophy in four years on Monday, Christian Pulisic will likely be a key part of their victory. The American is the team’s top scorer with nine goals, his latest coming in Friday’s semi-final against Juventus, making him their most reliable option in front of goal and keeping them competitive no matter what. the opposition – or their own form. - EFL Cup Semi-Final: Arsenal v Newcastle United, Tuesday, 3 p.m.
💰 THE CHOICE: Kai Havertz will score first (+255) – Arsenal enter Tuesday’s semi-final as favorites, so expect Kai Havertz to play a big role as they aim for a place in the final. He is the team’s top scorer with 12 goals in all competitions this season, including two in two EFL Cup matches so far.
For more picks, predictions, expert advice and the latest betting news, don’t miss the CBSSports.com betting home page.
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