Middlesbrough will face Chelsea in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg, with each team eager to take an advantage.
Michael Carrick was upbeat in his post-match interview after Middlesbrough, who face Chelsea this week, succumbed to the massive pressure of Aston Villa. Boro held their own for at least 87 minutes before a speculative Matty Cash strike proved a catalyst.
Carrick will want some response from his side and hope they have learned something from their experience playing a big top-division side. After bowing out of the FA Cup, the Middlesbrough boss will focus on the League Cup semi-final against Chelsea, where he has to strategise the game over two legs.
Boro have come to this stage after beating Huddersfield Town, Exeter City, Bolton Wanderers, Bradford City and most recently Port Vale. Chelsea are a different breed of opposition compared to those there, and Carrick will want a positive result ton boost the confidence going around at the club ahead of the second part of the season.
Chelsea have been in a decent run of form late as Mauricio Pochettino would want that to extend to these cup competitions. The Blues made easy work of Preston North End, putting four past the Championship side and moving to the next round of the FA Cup.
While the other Premier League clubs that are no longer part of the League Cup drama might have an extended break, Chelsea will return to the pitch to play the first leg of their League Cup semi-final. While one may put the Blues out as outright favourites, they face a tricky side in Middlesbrough, as Carrick’s men will provide a stern test.
Chelsea have reached this stage after beating Newcastle United in dramatic fashion. The Blues had to dig deep in that game to find a late equaliser and then took centre stage with the penalty shootout. Pochettino will seriously consider the League Cup an excellent chance to win a trophy this season and want a good outcome in this first leg.
Team News & Tactics
Middlesbrough
Per the rules, single yellow cards were wiped clean once the quarter-finals concluded. Still, Middlesbrough star Morgan Rogers picking up his second yellow in the Port Vale clash and remains suspended for the first leg of the semi-final.
Finn Azaz and Sam Greenwood remain cup-tied for this clash, having already featured for Plymouth Argyle and Leeds United, respectively, earlier this season. Australian duo Samuel Silvera and Riley McGree have joined their national side for the Asian Cup, while Senegalese keeper Leny Dieng has also left for the AFCON.
As for their injury list, Carrick will be without Tom Smith, Darragh Lenihan, Lewis O’Brien, Marcus Forss, and Patrick McNair are all absent for the foreseeable future.
Carrick will look to set out his best team possible and ensure they can take a significant result out of Chelsea. The home crowd will also become a factor, but the manager will want his players to keep their strong form from the last game and test the Blues.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Glover; Berg, Clarke, Fry, Bangura; Howson, Barlaser; Jones, Crooks, Lath; Coburn
Chelsea
As for Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino did not receive any respite from the host of players missing from action. Ben Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka and Benoit Badiashile are short-term problems as they are nearing a return.
Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez, Lesley Ugochukwu, Trevoh Chalobah and Romeo Lavia are out for some time at least. Things are a bit complicated for Pochettino in the attacking third as Nicolas Jackson has left for the AFCON.
Moreover, they are also probably missing Christopher Nkunku, who has a new hip injury. Chelsea are also without the cup-tied Andrey Santos, while there are doubts whether Ian Maatsen will get selected owing to the speculation surrounding his future.
Armando Broja, Noni Madueke, Raheem Sterling, and Cole Palmer will all start in the attacking third. Pochettino may look to find rotational solutions within his squad. But there are hardly any, particularly for a game of this magnitude.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Fernandez, Gallagher; Madueke, Palmer, Sterling; Broja
Key Stats
- Chelsea have won their last nine matches against Middlesbrough in all competitions.
- Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in their last nine matches against Middlesbrough in all competitions.
- Chelsea has been winning at half-time and full-time in all competitions in seven of their last nine matches against Middlesbrough.
- Middlesbrough have managed to progress from their last three League Cup semi-final ties.
- Middlesbrough have scored at least two goals in each of their games in the EFL Cup this season.
Player to Watch
Armando Broja
Armando Broja 💙 pic.twitter.com/uQhb10eHsf
— Frank Khalid OBE (@FrankKhalidUK) January 8, 2024
Many media reports have pointed out that Chelsea is probably looking to sell Armando Broja if a suitable offer arises. The Albanian international has found life difficult over the last few years owing to some severe injuries. However, he will want to keep a consistent run going.
With Nicolas Jackson departing for the AFCON, Broja has a chance to keep fit and play regularly. Many have argued that the Albanian probably needs an excellent team-run to realise his talent and show what he can do on the pitch.
Prediction
Middlesbrough 0-2 Chelsea
Chelsea are in a decent run of form, and Mauricio Pochettino will want continuation from his players and consistent results on the scoreboard. They might stand a chance to showcase their true worth against this inconsistent and unpredictable Middlesbrough.
Chelsea have remarkably kept nine clean sheets against Boro in as many previous games, something they might keep up ahead of this semi-final first leg. Chelsea has all the minerals to take a comfortable victory and head into the second leg with a good advantage.
