EFL Cup: Chelsea vs Arsenal preview, prediction, team news and head-to-head

Chelsea begin a new era under Liam Rosenior, while Arsenal arrive in confident mood as they continue to chase silverware on multiple fronts.

Rosenior’s reign at Chelsea could hardly have started more emphatically, with a crushing 5-1 FA Cup win over Charlton setting a positive early tone. 

That result, however, masked a more inconsistent run, as the Blues have managed just one win in their last five outings across all competitions.

With this being a two-legged affair, Chelsea will be keen to avoid heading to north London at a disadvantage. 

Home form has offered little reassurance of late though, with only one victory in their last four matches at Stamford Bridge (D2, L1). 

Arsenal, by contrast, are riding a wave of momentum, as Mikel Arteta’s side are unbeaten in nine matches in all competitions (W8, D1) and remain firmly in the hunt across four competitions. 

A commanding 4-1 FA Cup victory away at Portsmouth on Sunday extended their impressive run on the road to four straight wins.

Despite that form, the Gunners will be wary of complacency, having been eliminated at the semi-final stage in two of the last four EFL Cup campaigns. 

Still, with confidence flowing and depth across the squad, they travel to Stamford Bridge believing they can seize control of the tie.

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Arsenal have dominated this fixture in recent years, going eight meetings without defeat (W5, D3). Chelsea’s last home win over their London rivals dates back to August 2018, underlining the scale of the challenge facing the hosts.

Chelsea will be without Levi Colwill due to injury, while the availability of Malo Gusto and Romeo Lavia remains uncertain ahead of kick-off.

Arsenal are missing Riccardo Calafiori, Max Dowman and Cristhian Mosquera through injury. 

Piero Hincapie is a doubt after picking up a knock against Liverpool, while Gabriel Martinelli comes into the match in buoyant mood following a stunning hat-trick in the FA Cup.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Adarabioyo, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto; Delap

Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Magalhaes, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard

Chelsea may find a lift under their new manager, but Arsenal’s consistency and recent dominance in this fixture make them slight favourites to take a first-leg advantage back to the Emirates.

Correct score prediction: Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal

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Betting tips:

Bet on Arsenal to win

Both teams to score

Over 2.5 goals