Chelsea will host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday 14th of january in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg, with both teams eager to take control ahead of the return match in February.
Chelsea come into this clash after a 3–1 win over Cardiff in the quarter-finals, a result that marked Enzo Maresca’s final victory before his dramatic departure from the club. The Blues have carried that momentum into their FA Cup run, with Liam Rosenior guiding the side into the fourth round following an emphatic victory over Charlton that has further boosted confidence ahead of this cup tie.
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Adding to the build-up, Chelsea also took to their official X handle to post a video recalling their last two stunning top-corner finishes at Hull, a nostalgic clip that has stirred excitement among supporters ahead of the encounter.
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Arsenal, meanwhile, arrive on the back of a 4-1 FA Cup win over Portsmouth, where Gabriel Martinelli scored a hat-trick.
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The Gunners are unbeaten against Chelsea in their last eight meetings and have scored in 13 straight away games, including their 1-1 Premier League draw with 10-man Chelsea in late November.
With Arsenal still competing on four fronts, Mikel Arteta will be eager to secure a positive result in London to maintain momentum across competitions.
Recent evidence suggests there could be an opening, as Fulham’s hard-fought 2–1 victory over Chelsea in a fiery West London derby highlighted the Blues’ vulnerability in tight, high-intensity contests a weakness Arsenal will be looking to exploit.
Team News
Chelsea: Moises Caicedo is suspended after collecting a second yellow in the EFL Cup. Mykhaylo Mudryk (doping), Romeo Lavia (thigh), and Levi Colwill (knee) are unavailable, while Malo Gusto, Reece James, and Cole Palmer are fit but were rested at the weekend. Marc Cucurella returns after serving his one-match ban.
Arsenal: Kai Havertz is back from a knee injury as a substitute. Viktor Gyokeres looks likely to start up front. Piero Hincapie (thigh), Riccardo Calafiori (muscle), and Cristhian Mosquera (ankle) are doubtful, while 16-year-old Max Dowman remains sidelined. Kepa will likely start in goal again despite conceding at the weekend.
Possible Lineups
Chelsea: Jorgensen; Gusto, Chalobah, Fofana, Cucurella; James, Fernandez; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Delap
Arsenal: Kepa; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Prediction
Most football analysts expect a tight contest with goals at both ends. The consensus from platforms like BBC Sport, Sky Sports, and The Athletic suggests a 1-1 draw, giving Arsenal the edge in the first leg due to their unbeaten run against Chelsea and attacking consistency.
Chelsea’s squad is well-rested, but Rosenior’s impact is still untested against top-flight opposition, making the first-leg advantage hard to predict.
Where to watch
| Country | Broadcaster |
| United Kingdom | Sky Sports, Sky Go, NOW, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football |
| United States | Paramount+ |
| Canada | DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada |
| Germany | Sky Sport Premier League, Sky Go, WOW |
| Africa(selected regions) | SuperSport channels (including SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport MaXimo 1 & 2), DStv Now, and StarTimes World Football across Sub-Saharan Africa |
