In the preliminary round of the EFL Cup, League Two side Barnet will welcome fellow fourth-tier team Newport County to the Hive Stadium on Tuesday for a place in the first round.
The winner will face Championship club Millwall, though it would not be surprising if the hosts were focused on their league performances given they narrowly avoided relegation last term after finishing 22nd, whereas the visitors won the fifth tier and secured promotion.
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Barnet vs Newport County: History in the making?
Key stats
- Barnet kept eight clean sheets in their final 13 fixtures last season, conceding more than on goal just once.
- Newport ended the 2024-25 season winless in nine games, losing on six occasions.
- The hosts scored at least two goals in four of their final seven outings last term, while the visitors failed to score in six in their last nine competitive fixtures.
Correct score prediction: Barnet 2-0 Newport
Barnet will be full of confidence following their promotion, though Newport will be dertermined to start 2025-26 positively, so perhaps Tuesday's match will be a close affair.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Bookmakers favour the hosts
- HOME: 8/11 (1.73) – 57.9%
- DRAW: 14/5 (3.8) – 26.3%
- AWAY: 7/2 (4.5) – 22.2%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Barnet are the expected winner of Tuesday's clash, with the bookmakers giving the home side a win probability of 38.5%, significantly more than Newport's 22.2%
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Even record
Over the last five games between the two sides, both have won two and lost two, with Newport winning 4-1 in December 2023 in their most recent encounter.
England FA Cup 12/12/23
Barnet
Newport County
England FA Cup 02/12/23
Newport County
Barnet
England League 2 21/04/18
Barnet
Newport County
England League 2 21/11/17
Newport County
Barnet
England League 2 21/01/17
Barnet
Newport County
Barnet preview: Resilient defence and strong attack
Barnet found the back of the net 10 times in their closing three matches of 2024-25 – conceding just once – and they ended the season as champions with 102 points from 46 league games.
Striker Joe Hugill was brought to the club on loan from Manchester United, and he will almost certainly be stationed up front.
Predicted lineup: Evans (GK), Smith, Collinge, Okimo, Galvin, Hugh, Hartigan, Adeniran, Browne, Hugill & Kanu
UK Friendlies 22/07/25
D
Wycombe
1
Barnet
1
UK Friendlies 05/07/25
D
Hemel Hempstead
2
Barnet
2
UK Friendlies 01/07/25
W
Hitchin
0
Barnet
3
England National League 05/05/25
W
AFC Fylde
0
Barnet
3
England National League 26/04/25
W
Aldershot
0
Barnet
4
Newport preview: Worrying performances to end the season
Newport finished third last in League Two last season – seven points above the relegation zone – but they conceded 11 goals and only scored three times in their last six outings of the campaign.
Defender Habeeb Ogunneye also joined the club on a temporary deal from Manchester United, and perhaps the visitor will look to give him minutes.
Predicted lineup: Carney (GK), Ogunneye, Warner, Evans, Davies, Smith, Antwi, Whitmore, Patten, Garner & Spellman
England League 2 03/05/25
L
Tranmere
4
Newport County
1
England League 2 26/04/25
L
Fleetwood Town
2
Newport County
0
England League 2 21/04/25
D
Walsall
0
Newport County
0
England League 2 18/04/25
D
Milton Keynes Dons
0
Newport County
0
England League 2 12/04/25
L
Colchester
2
Newport County
0
Player to watch: Joe Hugill
Barnet striker Joe Hugill is embarking on his fifth loan spell since 2023, and now that he is 21 years old, there are fears that his development has stalled.
The forward scored just one goal in his last 13 appearances for Carlisle United, who he played for on loan in 2024-25, so he will be keen to prove his critics wrong.