Chelsea-Middlesbrough is a match valid for the League Cup semifinals return and is played Tuesday at 9 p.m.: odds and predictions.
Middlesbrough goes hunting for a feat by restarting from the 1-0 win at the Riverside Stadium, a challenge that two weeks ago Boro won by surprise thanks to a Hackney goal late in the first half. An unexpected result – and not only because there is a category difference between the two clubs – that forces Chelsea to win by at least two goals difference at Stamford Bridge to detach a pass for the Wembley final.
A not impossible comeback, all in all within the reach of Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues, who in the first leg match squandered countless goal chances after shooting 18 times toward the red and white goal. Poor offensive productivity once again proves to be one of the Londoners’ main problems. Among the top ten teams in the current Premier League standings only Manchester United has scored less than Chelsea, which is stuck at 35 goals. Ten days ago one was enough to win the derby with Fulham (1-0), chastened by a penalty from Palmer, again decisive.
Chelsea, comeback possible
The Blues have not taken the field since: last weekend they were among those teams rested, thus being able to concentrate only on the League Cup semifinal.
Friday there is an important league challenge with Aston Villa but the risk that the Argentine coach will snub the match with Boro does not exist: the League Cup, in a season that is likely to be again stingy with satisfaction, remains one of the few, perhaps the only, chances to raise at least one trophy and avert another totally disappointing year. It will be a “party” instead for Middlesbrough, which plays in the English cadet league. After the match with Chelsea, Michael Carrick’s red-and-whites beat Milwall 3-1 away and drew 1-1 against the last in the standings, Rotherham, confirming their fluctuating performance. There are many absences, both on one side and the other: Boro will not be able to count on former Atalanta man Latte Lath, absent due to injury, while Dieng, Silvera and McGree are busy with their respective national teams. Even longer list at Chelsea: in attack there will be no Nicolas Jackson, in Ivory Coast with his Senegal.
The prediction
Despite numerous absences, Chelsea should be able to get the better of Boro in a match of at least three goals total. Pochettino’s team, as in the first leg, will be able to build several goal chances and is unlikely to make the same mistakes as two weeks ago.
The probable lineups of Chelsea-Middlesbrough
CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Malo Gusto, Disasi, Thiago Silva, Colwill; Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez; Madueke, Gallagher, Sterling; Palmer.
MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1): Glover; Ayling, Fry, Clarke, Engel; Barlaser, Howson; Hackney, Rogers, Azaz; Forss.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 3-1
