Chelsea will be aiming to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit when they welcome Middlesbrough to Stamford Bridge for the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final on Tuesday night.
Hayden Hackney scored the only goal of the match, as Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough side beat the Blues in the first leg of their last-four contest at the Riverside Stadium a fortnight ago.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side have not been in action since recording a 1-0 win over West London rivals Fulham in the Premier League on January 13. Pochettino will hope the two-week break was enough to recharge his team’s batteries ahead of the second half of the campaign, starting with the knockout cup tie against Middlesbrough.
Chelsea Team News
Christopher Nkunku, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Lesley Ugochukwu, Reece James, Robert Sanchez, Marc Cucurella and Romeo Lavia are all out injured and will miss this cup game, while Nicolas Jackson is away with Senegal at the AFCON.
Ben Chilwell featured off the bench against Fulham in the 1-0 Premier League win last time out, as he made his return from a long-term hamstring issue.
Predicted Chelsea lineup vs Middlesbrough (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Djordje Petrovic has deputised well in the injury absence of Robert Sanchez in Chelsea’s goal. The American is set to don the gloves again, bidding to keep a clean sheet against Michael Carrick’s side.
Defence
In front of Petrovic, Mauricio Pochettino could name a back four of Malo Gusto, Axel Disasi, Thiago Silva and Levi Colwill. Disasi will line up alongside old dog Silva in central defence, with Gusto and Colwill acting as the full-backs in the Chelsea lineup.
Gusto and Colwill will look to be adventurous going forward but must also defend well against Middlesbrough’s pacey and agile wing-backs. Ben Chilwell made his return from a long-term hamstring issue against Fulham, but the Chelsea boss will want to be cautious when it comes to his fitness, so the England international is likely to receive more minutes off the bench here.
Midfield
Moises Caicedo will form the double pivot with Enzo Fernandez in the middle of the park in the Chelsea lineup. With Caicedo stationed in his No.6 role, Fernandez will look to initiate attacks from the deep with his vision and passing range. The duo will look to take control of the game quickly and make sure Middlesbrough see as little of the ball as possible.
Conor Gallagher’s dynamism, work rate and creativity could be key from the No.10 role to unlock the well-drilled Boro defence. Carney Chukwuemeka could get some minutes off the bench.
Attack
Armando Broja failed to make a mark against Fulham last time out, so there could be a change in the final third of the field in the Chelsea lineup, with Cole Palmer potentially going through the middle as a false 9.
Broja’s possible withdrawal could open the door for Noni Madueke to start on the right flank, with Raheem Sterling retaining his position on the left.
Pacey winger Mykhaylo Mudryk will be raring to make an impact if called upon off the bench.