Chelsea look to continue their unbeaten run in all competitions as they welcome an inconstant Manchester United to Stamford Bridge in a blockbuster Carabao Cup Fourth Round tie.
United however thrashed Chelsea at Old Trafford on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season, as club legends turned managers in Frank Lampard and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer prepare to lock horns once again.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesRoss Barkley could return for Chelsea after missing their last two matches with an ankle injury picked up during their last home outing against Newcastle United.
Antonio Rudiger (groin) is another possible returnee as Lampard looks to again rotate his squad.
Andreas Christiansen (hamstring), N’Golo Kante (groin), Marco van Ginkel (knee) and Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Achilles) remain sidelined.
Manchester United have no fresh injury concerns to report as Paul Pogba faces an extended spell on the sidelines with his ankle injury.
Luke Shaw (hamstring), Nemanja Matic (undisclosed), Axel Tuanzebe (hip), Eric Bailly, Timothy Fosu-Mensah (both knee) and Diogo Dalot (groin) all remain ruled out until further notice.
Stat Attack
- Only one of five League Cup meetings between these teams have ended in a draw – first leg of 2004-05 Semi Finals at Stamford Bridge with both teams winning two ties each too.
- Both teams have scored in three of their five League Cup clashes, with the only time in which one team whilst the other didn’t coming in December 2002 when Diego Forlan gave Man Utd a late winner.
- In three League Cup appearances for Chelsea against Man Utd, Blues manager – Frank Lampard only scored once which came at Old Trafford in the second leg of their 2004-05 Semi-Final.
- Manchester United have progressed to the Quarter-Finals in three of the last five seasons, in which they had reached this stage.
- Chelsea have progressed to the Quarter-Finals in two of their last three seasons under a new permanent manager, only failing to do so in 2016-17 under Antonio Conte when lost 2-1 at West Ham at this stage.
Prediction
I can see an interesting battle here because Chelsea have constantly improved since their defeat at Man Utd in August, whilst the Red Devils have shown massive inconsistency and particularly on the road.
Utd’s away form therefore is a huge concern because if Chelsea can control this game, I don’t see how the Red Devils can win this barring a moment of magic and a penalty shootout is a definite no given their penalty record this season.
I am therefore going for a home win simply because Chelsea have the confidence needed whereas United don’t and that will be the difference here.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Manchester United
Result: Chelsea 1-2 Manchester United
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