What to know about the EFL Cup semi-finals: where to watch Arsenal v Newcastle and Spurs v Liverpool

The Carabao Cup is in the quarter-finals, with the two winners from two matches between now and early February booking their place in the March 16 final at Wembley Stadium. Before then, each team gets the chance to play at home in front of their own fans with Arsenal, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool remaining in what has become an English Premier League-only competition from the quarter-finals onwards. Three of the four teams have won it, so history can still be made if the Magpies succeed, while the Reds can also extend their record to 10 in the competition.

You can watch all the action on Paramount+.

Here’s what you need to know:

What happens after 180 minutes?

This is the only point in the Carabao Cup that will be decided over two matches, with previous matches up to the final round going straight to penalties without extra time. This means that February’s second legs will be able to go to extra time as well as penalties, which has never been the case until now, in order to streamline the second of English football’s domestic cups.

Will away goals count double?

No, there are no away goals at any point, so any tie level after both games have played the combined 180 minutes will result in extra time and then possibly penalties. It is possible that at least one team will need a penalty shootout to reach the final.

Is VAR available?

Since the remaining four teams are all in the EPL, VAR is effectively available to referees. However, this would not have been the case if a lower ranked club, from a division where VAR is not yet adopted, had reached these semi-finals. As it stands, part of the format change to prevent home-and-away matches until the last four also involves the availability of VAR.

How do the suspensions work?

Each player out of the quarterfinals will begin the final four with a clean slate and no cards carried over. However, potential suspensions from either of these semi-finals cannot be served in the Premier League: they can only be served in the Carabao Cup. So, in case of accumulated yellow cards or even red cards, it is more favorable for this to happen in the first match because there is still a chance to advance to the final by being absent from the second leg. Any suspension for the final can only be served by missing that match at Wembley and therefore a chance at silverware.

First leg: Arsenal v Newcastle United

• Date: Tuesday January 7 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
• Location: Emirates Stadium – London, England
• Watch: Paramount+

The Gunners have won the League Cup twice, but their most recent triumph came in 1993. This competition has been used extensively to attract young talent with senior minutes over the years and has been a key element in the Arsène Wenger’s approach to development. talent. Their opponents, the Magpies, are the only remaining team to have never won this title, even once. Eddie Howe’s men have made two beaten final appearances, including the 2023 final defeat to United, but they have never been able to replicate their six-time FA Cup winner.

First leg: Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool

• Date: Wednesday January 8 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
• Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – London, England
• Watch: Paramount+

The Reds are the all-time leading EFL Cup title winners with 10 to their name, two more than Manchester City. The current leader of the EPL and UEFA Champions League came last with the season triumph under the leadership of Jurgen Klopp. Spurs are in the top five for Carabao Cup titles with four, but their most recent was in 2008. The Lilywhites are behind not only Liverpool and City for titles, but also Manchester United with six titles, as well as Chelsea and Aston Villa who both have five. their names.

When do the return matches take place?

Arsenal travel to Newcastle on Wednesday February 5, while Tottenham’s trip to Liverpool takes place a day later on Thursday February 6.