Carabao Cup
Chelsea vs Manchester City Preview
The hallowed turf on Wembley will host another footballing spectacle on Sunday as Chelsea and Manchester will go head to head in the EFL Cup final. Both sides will be gunning for their first major trophy of the season in this thrilling game. Manchester City have been cruising of late. They have won 3 Premier League games on the bounce, booked their place in the FA Cup quarterfinals and also have one foot in the Champions League quarters.
While City are flying, Chelsea have been rather lackluster. Maurizio Sarri has considerable pressure on his shoulders. Failing to deliver in the cup final may well lead to him getting the axe. Chelsea got knocked out of the FA Cup, got absolutely outclassed by City in the league 6-0 and before that lost 4-0 to Bournemouth as well. Another drubbing in a final may spell disaster for the Italian manager and his side. However, nobody can count out a side with Chelsea’s quality.
Team News
For Chelsea, Danny Drinkwater, Davide Zappacosta, Gary Cahill, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Pedro are all doubtful. However, Zappacosta (fever) and Pedro (gastroentritis) are improving and will most likely be available. Kepa (hamstring) and Cahill (back) have both returned to training.
For Manchester City, Pep Guardiola in a press conference that he doesn’t know if Benjamin Mendy, John Stones and Gabriel Jesus will be available on Sunday. Mendy is still recuperating after his lengthy knee injury layoff. John Stones has a groin issue and Jesus has a hamstring problem. Even so, City will have plenty of strong options for the final.
Ones To Watch
Chelsea will desperately need their star men to step up. In particular Eden Hazard, who can wreak havoc in any defense on his day. They also have to rely on Gonzalo Higuain to polish off the chances that his teammates create.
Manchester City will obviously turn to Sergio Aguero to bag a few more goals. In the 6-0 defeat, Aguero was an absolute menace and he scored a hattrick. He could have even more. City can also look to midweek Champions League heroes Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling who can exploit the spaces on Chelsea’s flanks.
Prediction
Considering the performances of both sides in recent days, it looks like City will be able to edge out Chelsea even if they have an average showing. Chelsea are under a lot of pressure and it might just be a bit too much for them to handle. If they do then it will be a very even contest.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-2 Manchester City
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