Carabao Cup: Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Live
Preview
Chelsea will attempt to come back from a one-goal disadvantage as they host Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge for the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday. Middlesbrough currently holds the advantage after a 37th-minute goal from Hayden Hackney in the first leg at the Riverside Stadium, managed by Michael Carrick.
Chelsea had 18 attempts on goal in the first leg at the Riverside Stadium, with Cole Palmer having several opportunities to score three goals, but their poor finishing cost them. They need to improve in order to progress to the final of the Carabao Cup this season. Despite a disappointing season, Chelsea secured a 1-0 victory over Fulham in their last match, moving them into ninth place in the Premier League table.
Mauricio Pochettino’s team is just one point behind seventh-placed Manchester United and has won four of their last five games, including a 4-0 win over Preston North End in the FA Cup third round. Chelsea’s upcoming matches include a fourth-round FA Cup tie against Aston Villa and a Premier League game against Liverpool on January 31. The team has advanced to the Carabao Cup semi-finals after defeating AFC Wimbledon, Brighton & Hove Albion, Blackburn Rovers, and Newcastle United.
Middlesbrough is aware that they will face a tough challenge on Tuesday, but Hackney’s composed goal in the first leg, assisted by Isaiah Jones, has given the Championship team something to hold onto for the upcoming match. Middlesbrough has a history of success in the League Cup, having won the competition in 2004 by defeating Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal in the quarter-finals and semi-finals before overcoming Bolton Wanderers in the final.
Carrick’s team, who have triumphed over Huddersfield Town, Bolton, Bradford City, Exeter City, and Port Vale in this season’s EFL Cup, will go into this match following a 1-1 draw with Rotherham United in the Championship, placing them 11th in the table. Despite finishing fourth in the Championship last season, Middlesbrough was defeated by Coventry City in the playoffs’ semi-finals, keeping them in the second tier for another campaign. Currently, they are only three points away from the playoffs, and their primary goal is to secure a top-six finish. However, their immediate focus is on Tuesday’s game at Stamford Bridge, which promises to be an intriguing encounter.
Head-to-head
Chelsea has a strong track record against Middlesbrough, having won nine out of their last 10 meetings. They are also undefeated against Middlesbrough at their current venue and are currently on a six-game winning streak.
Prediction
The victor of this match will face either Liverpool or Fulham in the competition’s final, and it would be quite surprising if Fulham and Boro both managed to secure a spot in the final to compete for the trophy. The second leg on Tuesday is anticipated to be tense, with Boro capable of scoring, but Chelsea is likely to advance to the final, possibly through a penalty shootout.
