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League Cup Semi-Final Leg 1 Preview: Chelsea v Arsenal


CHELSEA manager Antonio Conte looks set to field a strong side as he looks to get Chelsea in the best possible position in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final. 

 Chelsea singed Ross Barkley last week but he is not expected to be involved. Conte said this about his new singing. "Wednesday night is very soon for him. But we must be happy because his physical condition is very good, he has started to train with us and understand our football."

Meanwhile Arsenal go into the game on the back of a 4-2 defeat at Nottingham Forest in the third round of the FA Cup. Considering their position in the Premier League this is probably the best chance that Arsenal have of a trophy this season.

This is what Arsene Wenger said in his press conference: "In the Premier League both teams have 90 minutes to get the three points, in this tie over 180 minutes its a bit different.

"You want to go there, be solid, and try to take advantage of every mistake, of every weakness to win the game. We also know there is another game after, so we need to be sold defensively too.

Team News

Eden Hazard (below) has recovered from a calf complaint and is expected to feature at some stage in the match after continuing to train fully since Saturday's FA Cup match at Norwich. Chelsea have no other injury concerns. 

metro.co.uk
For Arsenal, Granit Xhaka and Shkodran Mustafi will face late fitness tests and are both rated as having an outside of chance of playing. 

Stats

  • Chelsea have won 4 of their last 5 League Cup ties with Arsenal. 
  • Arsenal have only progressed once against Chelsea in this competition in a fourth round tie at Highbury in 1976-77.
  • Arsenal have a poor recent record at the Bridge winning just 1 their last 9 visits to the ground. (W1 D1 L7) That 1 win was a 5-3 Premier League win back in 2011. 
  • The League Cup is the only domestic trophy that Arsene Wenger has not won since he took over at Arsenal.
(Opta)

My Prediction

This is a big game for both sides. Both have a point to prove after neither was able to win their FA Cup ties against lower league opposition. Best 11 v Best 11 I would say Chelsea would have the edge. With everything that is going on at Arsenal at the moment with the uncertainty again around Sanchez and Ozil I am leaning towards Chelsea. 

If Hazard plays which I think he will do as Conte will be desperate to win a trophy and as the league is now out of question this is their best chance of silverware. I expect Wenger also to filed a strong side even more so after Sunday's horror show at Forest so I'm expecting a very good game. Arsenal are very weak at the back and if Ozil and Sanchez aren't on their game with their minds elsewhere then this will be a tough game for them. I am backing Chelsea to win it but Arsenal to get a goal to keep it alive for the return leg at the Emirates.

My Prediction: 3-1

Comments

  1. Alan Parry10 January 2018 at 18:12

    Hey Alex,

    Been reading your reports on and off for a while now.

    I have been thoroughly enjoying them and I was wondering if you have ever considered taking them up full time? If you are interested I will be able to get you started with a contract due to my number of links. Looking forward to hearing from you!

    Kind regards,

    Alan

    ReplyDelete

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