EFL Cup: Chelsea vs Middlesbrough: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Published at :January 21, 2024 at 9:03 PM

Modified at :January 21, 2024 at 9:03 PM

The second-division side is currently a step ahead in the semi-finals

Chelsea find themselves at the bitter end of a 0-1 aggregate scoreline before the second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final fixture. However, they still have a full 90 minutes and home advantage to make it count. In both games before and after the first leg against Boro, the Premier League side won with a clean sheet. Mauricio Pochettino’s men will be entering this game with high pressure to make a turnaround of fortunes

At the moment, the EFL Championship side Middlesbrough will be very pleased with the work done so far. They are halfway there in the finals with a 1-0 aggregate scoreline. A win or draw at Stamford Bridge will see them contest for the title against either Fulham or Liverpool. The 21-year-old Hayden Hackney had done the damage to the Blues in the first leg with his side led by former Manchester United legend Michael Carrick.

Kick-Off:

Tuesday, 23 January 2024 at 8:00 PM UK

Wednesday, 24 January 2024 at 1:30 AM IST

Location: Stamford Bridge

Form

Chelsea (in all competitions): W-L-W-W-W

Middlesbrough (in all competitions): D-W-W-L-L

Players to Watch

Cole Palmer (Chelsea)

The 21-year-old was on the end of many goalscoring opportunities at the Riverside Stadium in the EFL Cup first leg of this semi-final showdown. Even though the attacking midfielder missed his shots, he uplifted the mood at the club in the next game. A penalty goal by Cole Palmer against Fulham was enough for all three points in the Premier League game. It may have helped with confidence for him and his team.

Marcus Forss (Middlesbrough)

Marcus Forss was missing from the squad in the first-leg affairs with the Blues. Forss was out as he was still recovering from injury. Having been back in the team, the Finnish forward played the last two games as a substitute and scored a goal each after coming on from the bench. Carrick shouldn’t waste time in involving him from the start at Stamford Bridge.

Match Facts

The hosts are lagging a goal behind in aggregate before this second-leg tie of the EFL Cup semi-finals
Whichever team progresses to the finals will face either Liverpool or Fulham at the Wembley stadium
The last time Middlesbrough were in the semi-finals was in the 2003-04 EFL Cup. They even ended up winning the title

Injury & Team News

The Blues will have to go about the business without the services of – Reece James, Lesley Ugochukwu, Romeo Lavia, Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana. Even Christopher Nkunku is a doubt for this exciting event.

The visitors will be happy to be coming with an advantage. But Michael Carrick’s side isn’t fully fit and available. The likes of – Alex Bangura, Riley McGree, Paddy McNair, Darragh Lenihan and Thomas Smith, will be probably watching on from the stands.

Head to Head

Total Matches – 118

Chelsea wins – 57

Middlesbrough wins – 32

Draws – 29

Predicted Lineup

Chelsea predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Petrovic (GK); Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Gallagher, Sterling; Palmer

Middlesbrough predicted lineup (3-4-2-1):

Glover (GK); van den Berg, Fry, Engel; Jones, Barlaser, Howson, Bangura; Crooks, Hackney; Forss

Match Prediction for Chelsea vs Middlesbrough

Apart from the 1-0 lead, Middlesbrough don’t have much going on for them. Chelsea will be backed by the home crowd. And even in the last meeting, they were way more threatening in the final third than the Boro. If the Blues can solidify their defence up a notch and be clinical with their chances on goal, chances are Mauricio Pochettino’s men will be waiting for either Fulham or Liverpool at Wembley Stadium.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Middlesbrough (aggregate: Chelsea 2-1 Middlesbrough)

Telecast for Chelsea vs Middlesbrough

India – FanCode

UK – Sky Sports

US – ESPN+

Nigeria – Supersport

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