John Beresford has made his Carabao Cup final prediction ahead of Newcastle United’s trip to Wembley.
The Newcastle legend is all too familiar with finals with the Magpies. He was part of the team that lost to Arsenal in the 1998 FA Cup final.
Recently, Alan Shearer recalled an ’embarrassing’ Newcastle moment off the back of that final, where the players embarked on an open-top bus trip for the fans. The bad news was they were meant to have the trophy with them. Shearer is eager Newcastle don’t repeat the same embarrassment in 2025.
The Magpies will return to Wembley on Sunday afternoon, two years on from the agonising defeat to Manchester United in their last cup final appearance. It’s fair to say that although the team is largely the same this season, the mentality is completely different this time around.
Captain Bruno Guimaraes says Newcastle are more ‘confident‘ in 2025 compared to their last defeat on the big stage. The Brazilian will be partnered by Sandro Tonali this year, rather than Sean Longstaff.
With Newcastle fans flooding London with black and white, John Beresford has made his prediction for who he believes will win Sunday’s final.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
John Beresford’s Newcastle United Cup final prediction
Predictions have been coming in thick and fast over the last week, with pundits split down the middle over who they believe will be lifting the Carabao Cup in the stands at Wembley.
Former Toon star Andy Carroll has predicted a Newcastle win alongside Nicky Butt, who also spend several years on Tyneside.
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However, Paul Merson thinks Liverpool will win on penalties, but thinks Newcastle ‘have a chance’.
Now, Beresford, who played for Newcastle between 1992 and 1998, has given his prediction to the Chronicle.
“You won’t see me for a couple of days put it that way,” he said. “Make out what you will with that one.
“I think it will be 2-1 (Newcastle), I really do. I don’t care (how Newcastle win it) but I’ve just got a funny feeling.
“It’s gonna be tight, but please, please, please, 2-1.”
💬 "You won't see me for a couple days…!"
😆🤣 Toon legend John Beresford shares how he plans to celebrate IF Newcastle United win the cup! pic.twitter.com/mbExQe8x2T
— The Chronicle (@ChronicleNUFC) March 16, 2025
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John Beresford nearly joined Liverpool before Newcastle
While Beresford had a fantastic career at Newcastle, making 228 appearances in all competitions. However, Beresford could’ve been recognised as a Liverpool legend had things gone another way.
Beresford played for Portsmouth from 1989 to 1992, missing a spot-kick against Liverpool in the 1992 FA Cup semi-final. The Reds agreed to sign him at the end of that season before Kevin Keegan swooped in and brought him to Newcastle.
On the failed move, he told Played Up Pompey Too (via Portsmouth.co.uk): “The offer I wanted arrived. Jim Smith rang: ‘I’ve had a £700,000 bid from Liverpool for you. Would you like to go and talk to them?’.
“Then it was up to Anfield, where the contract was agreed and the medical taken. I was hanging around when Souness came in and asked if I’d ever fractured my ankle – well I had, both of them at different stages.
“It turned out my right ankle hadn’t set properly following a break during my Barnsley days, despite being put in plaster. I had failed the medical.
“I later found out the scrapping of the transfer wasn’t actually down to that injury. Instead, there was a problem with a couple of members of the Liverpool board, who insisted on a new policy of everyone signed had to be 100 per cent fit.”