Chelsea will host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday 14th of january within the EFL Cup semi-final first leg, with each groups desperate to take management forward of the return match in February.
Chelsea come into this conflict after a 3–1 win over Cardiff within the quarter-finals, a consequence that marked Enzo Maresca’s closing victory earlier than his dramatic departure from the membership. The Blues have carried that momentum into their FA Cup run, with Liam Rosenior guiding the facet into the fourth spherical following an emphatic victory over Charlton that has additional boosted confidence forward of this cup tie.
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Including to the build-up, Chelsea additionally took to their official X deal with to publish a video recalling their final two beautiful top-corner finishes at Hull, a nostalgic clip that has stirred pleasure amongst supporters forward of the encounter.
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Arsenal, in the meantime, arrive on the again of a 4-1 FA Cup win over Portsmouth, the place Gabriel Martinelli scored a hat-trick.
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The Gunners are unbeaten towards Chelsea of their final eight conferences and have scored in 13 right away video games, together with their 1-1 Premier League draw with 10-man Chelsea in late November.
With Arsenal nonetheless competing on 4 fronts, Mikel Arteta will probably be desperate to safe a constructive end in London to take care of momentum throughout competitions.
Current proof suggests there may very well be a gap, as Fulham’s hard-fought 2–1 victory over Chelsea in a fiery West London derby highlighted the Blues’ vulnerability in tight, high-intensity contests a weak point Arsenal will probably be trying to exploit.
Group Information
Chelsea: Moises Caicedo is suspended after accumulating a second yellow within the EFL Cup. Mykhaylo Mudryk (doping), Romeo Lavia (thigh), and Levi Colwill (knee) are unavailable, whereas Malo Gusto, Reece James, and Cole Palmer are match however had been rested on the weekend. Marc Cucurella returns after serving his one-match ban.
Arsenal: Kai Havertz is again from a knee harm as an alternative. Viktor Gyokeres appears more likely to begin up entrance. Piero Hincapie (thigh), Riccardo Calafiori (muscle), and Cristhian Mosquera (ankle) are uncertain, whereas 16-year-old Max Dowman stays sidelined. Kepa will probably begin in aim once more regardless of conceding on the weekend.
Potential Lineups
Chelsea: Jorgensen; Gusto, Chalobah, Fofana, Cucurella; James, Fernandez; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Delap
Arsenal: Kepa; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Prediction
Most soccer analysts count on a decent contest with targets at each ends. The consensus from platforms like BBC Sport, Sky Sports activities, and The Athletic suggests a 1-1 draw, giving Arsenal the sting within the first leg on account of their unbeaten run towards Chelsea and attacking consistency.
Chelsea’s squad is well-rested, however Rosenior’s impression continues to be untested towards top-flight opposition, making the first-leg benefit arduous to foretell.
The place to observe
| Nation | Broadcaster |
| United Kingdom | Sky Sports activities, Sky Go, NOW, Sky Sports activities Fundamental Occasion, Sky Sports activities Soccer |
| United States | Paramount+ |
| Canada | DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada |
| Germany | Sky Sport Premier League, Sky Go, WOW |
| Africa(chosen areas) | SuperSport channels (together with SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport MaXimo 1 & 2), DStv Now, and StarTimes World Soccer throughout Sub-Saharan Africa |
