Chelsea and Newcastle United renew hostilities in the EFL Cup at St. James’ Park just three days after going toe-to-toe in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues came out on top in the first battle in west London, extending their remarkable home form against the Magpies with a narrow 2-1 victory.
Goals from dynamic duo Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer on either side of an Alexander Isak strike was enough for the Blues to secure back-to-back wins.
The narrow win pushed the west Londoners up to fifth place, just one point outside the Champions League places behind Arsenal and Aston Villa.
Chelsea will head into Wednesday evening’s clash on Tyneside as overwhelming favourites, and will be keen to make it three wins on the spin across all competitions.
Enzo Maresca has been handed a clean bill of health ahead of the cup tie, but he’ll likely use an entirely different squad from the one that beat Newcastle at the Bridge.
Much has been said about Chelsea’s chaotic transfer strategy over the past few years, but they’re now reaping the benefits with Maresca able to field two different line-ups with enormous quality.
The Italian is set to make wholesale changes ahead of the midweek game, with Filip Jorgensen replacing Robert Sanchez between the sticks.
Marc Cucurella started the season as a regular in the first team, but Reece James’ return to the fold has seen him drop to team B.
He should line up alongside Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Axel Disasi in a revamped back four.
Enzo Fernandez hasn’t started a Premier League game since Romeo Lavia returned to full fitness, so he should anchor the midfield alongside Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Jadon Sancho has been dropped for the previous two games but will get another chance to stake a claim for his place in the first team on Wednesday.
He should be joined by Joao Felix and Mykhaylo Mudryk in attacking midfield while Christopher Nkunku leads the line.
Predicted Chelsea XI:
(4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; Disasi, Badiashile, Adarabioyo, Cucurella; Fernandez, Dewsbury-Hall; Sancho, Felix, Mudryk; Nkunku
