Chelsea will face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup Final on Sunday at the Wembley Stadium. Both the sides will be excited to win this contest to have the first the trophy of the season. It is the first Final match in the managerial career of Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea. He will be desperate to win this match as it will shut many mouths of his haters. However, a defeat in this match will put a serious question mark upon the future of Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea. On the other hand, Pep Guardiola should not be overconfident after their 6-0 win against Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium as this Chelsea side has beaten them with a margin of 2-0 at Stamford Bridge few months back.
Team News :
Chelsea :
There will be a big blow for Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea ahead of this match if Kepa Arrizabalaga fails to pass the late fitness test. The Spanish Goalkeeper is currently suffering from a hamstring injury at this moment. In his absence, Willy Caballero was under the bars for the Blues in the match against Malmo FF in the Europa League on Thursday. The veteran Argentine keeper may again have to be the first choice Goalkeeper of the Blues in this important match against Manchester City.
David Luiz will be back in the starting lineup of Chelsea in place of Andreas Christensen as the Brazilian defender is one of the key players in the defense of Chelsea under the management of Maurizio Sarri. Antonio Rudiger will partner him in the central defense of Chelsea. Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso are expected to be at both the flanks.
Jorginho will be back in the deep lying playmaker role while the manager has to decide whom to play beside N’Golo Kante. Ross Barkley might get the edge after his brilliant free kick goal against Malmo FF. Gonzalo Higuain and Eden Hazard will also be back in the first team of the Blues. There will be a competition between Willian and Callum Hudson Odoi to play at the right wing in this match as Pedro is injured currently. Willian might get the edge here because of his experience to play in the big matches; but Callum Hudson Odoi will certainly be in the squad of the Blues in this match.
Manchester City :
The manager of Manchester City, Pep Guardiola has to decide whom to play under the bars in this match. Guardiola always preferred to play Muric in this competition till now. It will be interesting to see whether he takes the risk to field him again in the big Final match. The likes of Leroy Sane, Riyad Mahrez are again expected to be in the bench due to the squad depth of Manchester City in this season.
Predicted Starting Eleven :
Chelsea : (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper : Caballero
Defenders : Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso.
Midfielders : Kante, Jorginho, Barkley.
Forwards : Willian, Higuain, Hazard.
Manchester City : (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper : Muric.
Defenders : Walker, Otamendi, Laporte, Zinchenko.
Midfielders : De Bruyne, Fernandinho, David Silva.
Forwards : Bernardo Silva, Aguero, Sterling.
My Predicted Scoreline :
Chelsea 2-1 Manchester City.
