Four teams are just one game away from making it to the Carabao Cup final, as the League Cup has reached its semi-final second leg stage. Here are the games taking place in those second legs:
Wednesday
Burton Albion v Manchester City (Kick-off 7:45 PM)
This tie is now all about pride for the home side, as the first leg of this tie finished 9-0 to the reigning Premier League champions. The game rendered this game almost pointless.
However, both teams will want to win this tie anyway for different reasons. Burton’s promotion push has taken a nosedive of late. A run of just one victory in their last six games in all competitions has not helped Nigel Clough’s men. A win would lift spirits at the League One club.
A patchy recent home record in all competitions has not helped Albion, as they have recorded just two wins from their last five matches on home soil.
Manchester City look set to play in another League Cup final having won the competition last season courtesy of a win over Arsenal in the final.
The Citizens will rotate their squad for this clash, but will not want to lose the momentum built up by recording six victories. City have been impressive in those recent wins, keeping clean sheets in their last four matches, while also scoring at least two goals in all six wins. City have won their last two away games in all competitions, scoring at least two goals in each win. This game could well follow that pattern, too.
Thursday
Chelsea v Tottenham (Kick-off 7:45 PM)
Chelsea’s recent form has been patchy of late. The Blues suffered a 2-0 defeat at Arsenal last time out. The defeat means that Maurizio Sarri’s team has won two and lost two of their last four matches in all competitions.
Prior to the first leg defeat to Tottenham, the Blues had defeated Liverpool, Derby and Bournemouth in the previous rounds of the competition.
Chelsea have been strong of late at Stamford Bridge, winning six of their last eight matches on home soil in all competitions. In fact, the Blues have suffered just one defeat on home soil in 21 matches in all competitions. Despite an inconsistent recent run of form, Sarri’s team are favourites to progress past Spurs into the final of the competition.
Tottenham have won four of their last five outings in all competitions. Last time out Mauricio Pochettino’s side recorded a last-gasp 2-1 win at London rivals Fulham.
The win came at a cost, as attacking midfielder Dele Alli limped off with a hamstring injury. Alli’s joins star striker Harry Kane and midfielder Moussa Sissoko on the sidelines due to injury. To make matters worse the north London club are also without South Korean international Heung-Min Son, who is on international duty at the Asia Cup.
This will not be an easy match for the visitors. However, they have not had an easy route to the semi-finals, having faced Watford, West Ham and Arsenal in the previous rounds of the competition.
Who will join Manchester City in the final of the Carabao Cup?
