Manchester City vs. Chelsea Carabao Cup Third Round Preview

Not very optimistic...

Chelsea travel to the Etihad stadium for a third round Carabao Cup fixture against Manchester City on Wednesday. City sit second in the league and have lost one game this season. Haaland has already passed 20 goals in all competitions and could probably pass 20 goals in the league this weekend. The Carabao Cup is usually City’s trophy but last year they got knocked out to West Ham and Liverpool won it against Chelsea on penalties.

Chelsea travel to this game having lost to Arsenal 0-1 and sitting seventh in the league. The team are winless in the last four games and while we topped the table in the Champions League the domestic form has not been great. I already wrote a lengthy ramble on the situation at the club right now and what I want to happen over the next few months so I would dive into the whole Potter conversation. The gist of it is that he is here, he has been selected by Boehly for a long term project. He has shown that given time he can create an exciting team and he deserves that time but results do need to improve and he more than most will know that.

Chelsea Team Preview

Kepa, Chilwell, Fofana, Kante and Reece James remain out. James is back running on the pitch and there are rumours he could make it for the second half of the World Cup granted England qualify past the group stage. Jorginho has a problem with his foot and is also out of this game. Omari Hutchinson, Lewis Hall, and Bashir Humphreys have travelled with the squad. I expect Mendy to start in goal with Chalobah, Koulibaly, Humphreys and Hall as the back four. Zakaria, Gallagher and Loftus-Cheek should form the midfield with Pulisic, Hutchinson and Broja up front. Chelsea have nothing to lose in this game and I want to see the young players get a chance. I also want to see the players that deserve to play be given a start as well. There should be plenty of depth available on the bench.

Man City Team Preview

I don’t expect Manchester City to field a really strong team. I do expect rotation and doubt Haaland will start. The likes of Cole Palmer and others should get a run out and I also expect players like Alvarez to start as well. Basically the team that played their final Champions League group game should start but there will be plenty of quality on the pitch and bench regardless.

Starting XI Prediction

Based on recent form I have little to no confidence heading into this game. Let’s be honest our success in cup tournaments last season was all down to the tactical knowledge of Tuchel. In one off games Chelsea were unbeatable unless it went to penalties. What I expect from this game is to see the above players start and just an exciting performance. The quality needs to be there but I also want these players to show hunger and passion to fight for their place. COME ON CHELSEA!!!