Manchester City meet Chelsea at Wembley Stadium in this season’s Carabao Cup Final, as they look to produce a first ever successful defence of their title.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesManchester City could hand Ederson the start ahead of Arijanet Muric in goal, as three players look set to miss out.
John Stones (groin), Benjamin Mendy (knee) and Gabriel Jesus (hamstring) are all doubts whilst Claudio Bravo is a long-term absentee.
Chelsea could be without first choice goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga who missed Thursday’s Europa League game with a hamstring injury.
If Arrizabalaga is sidelined again, Willy Caballero is expected to be selected ahead of Robert Green and face his former club.
Pedro and Davide Zappacosta are also doubts after struggling with illness this week, as Marco van Ginkel, Gary Cahill and Danny Drinkwater remain long-term absentees.
Route to Final
Chelsea
| Round | Opposition (venue) | Result |
| Three | Liverpool (away) | W 1-2 |
| Four | Derby County (home | W 3-2 |
| Quarter Final | Bournemouth (home) | W 1-0 |
| Semi Final 1st Leg | Tottenham Hotspur (away) | L 1-0 |
| Semi Final 2nd Leg | Tottenham Hotspur (home) | W 2-1 (Tie level 2-2 on aggregate. Chelsea win 4-2 on penalties) |
Manchester City
| Round | Opposition (Venue) | Result |
| Three | Oxford United (away) | W 0-3 |
| Four | Fulham (home) | W 2-0 |
| Quarter Final | Leicester City (away) | W 1-1 (Manchester City win 3-1 on penalties) |
| Semi Final 1st Leg | Burton Albion (home) | W 9-0 |
| Semi Final 2nd Leg | Burton Albion (away) | W 0-1 |
Stat Attack
- In two previous EFL Cup meetings, both teams have won a tie each but this is the first time that they’re meeting in the final.
- Manchester City’s five previous EFL Cup titles have all come in an even numbered ending season.
- Man City’s last two titles in this competition have come against teams in red (2016 – Liverpool, 2018 – Arsenal).
- Chelsea have lost four of last five meetings with Man City in all competitions.
- Maurizio Sarri is yet to win a major trophy at top level of club football.
- Victory would see Chelsea complete two consecutive domestic Cup Final wins over teams from Manchester, having beaten United in last season’s FA Cup final.
- Manchester United are the last team to successfully defend their EFL Cup title the following season.
Prediction
I am struggling to see how Man City can be stopped here given their superiority over Chelsea, and the fact that they have only conceded once en route to the final says it all.
Maurizio Sarri’s Blues however will be hurting after a six goal annihilation a fortnight ago, but am going for a comfortable title defence by the Citizens as the difference in confidence is too huge at the minute.
Prediction: Chelsea 0-3 Manchester City