Here we go- it’s English Football League Cup Final time. Also known as the EFL Cup or League Cup (or by whomever the naming rights sponsor is for a given year; this time it’s a Thai energy drink company). Sunday brings the first opportunity for a trophy of the 2018-19 season, and with it the chance for Manchester City to secure 1/4 of a potential quadruple.
Standing in their way is Chelsea FC, who they just thrashed at home 6-0 in Premier League competition earlier this month. City are the current holders of this trophy, and this match will mark their third final appearance in the past four years. Let’s take a look at this fitness situation for both sides.
For Chelsea, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga remains a doubt after having suffered a hamstring injury in the FA Cup loss to Manchester United on Monday night. Willy Caballero was in between the sticks for the Europa League win over Malmo on Thursday night, and could get the call again if the world’s most expensive shot-stopper can’t go.
Winger Pedro could be in the squad following his recovery from an illness.
Switching over to the other side, John Stones and Gabriel Jesus both face late fitness tests for this one as neither traveled to Germany for City’s Champions League win over FC Schalke in midweek.
Road to the EFL Cup Final
Chelsea
Third round: Liverpool (A), 2-1
Fourth round: Derby County (H), 3-2
Quarterfinal: Bournemouth (H), 1-0
Semifinal: Tottenham (A) 0-1, Tottenham (H) 2-1 (4-2 on penalties)
Manchester City
Third round: Oxford Utd (A), 3-0
Fourth round: Fulham (H), 2-0
Quarterfinal: Leicester (A), 1-1 (3-1 on penalties)
Semifinal: Burton Albion (H) 9-0, Burton Albion (A) 1-0
EFL Cup FYIs
Kick-off: Sunday February 24, Wembley Stadium, 4:30 pm (BST), 10:30 am (CST)
Starting XI Predictions: go to this link
Odds via Betfair: Manchester City 11/20,Chelsea 9/2
Prediction: City 3, Chelsea 0
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.