Chelsea vs Arsenal Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 English League Cup | Semi-Final (First Leg)
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Two tasty London derbies are in store in this EFL Cup semi-final tie, with Chelsea hosting Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in the first leg.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports+ / US – Paramount+
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Paramount+
Chelsea preview: Looking for more silverware
Liam Rosenior's first game in charge of Chelsea was a 1-5 victory at Charlton in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday, but this will be his first true test against the standout side in English football this season.
During former manager Enzo Maresca's tenure, the Blues progressed to the EFL Cup semi-finals thanks to a 1-3 victory against Cardiff in the last eight.
Arsenal preview: Excelling on all fronts
Now unbeaten in nine games across all competitions, Arsenal most recently overcame Portsmouth in the FA Cup, with Gabriel Martinelli scoring a hat-trick in a 1-4 victory.
Mikel Arteta's men overcame Crystal Palace on penalties in the quarter-finals of this competition, with the Gunners converting all eight of their spot-kicks after normal time had ended 1-1.
Chelsea team news: Caicedo suspended & late call on trio
Moises Caicedo is suspended for this first leg after picking up his second yellow card of the competition against Cardiff last time out.
Malo Gusto, Reece James and Cole Palmer are all carrying mild knocks and will be given as long as possible to prove their fitness.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; James, Chalobah, Fofana, Cucurella; Santos, Fernandez; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Delap
Unavailable: Colwill (Injured), Lavia (Injured), Caicedo (Suspended), Essugo (Injured), Mudryk (Disciplinary)
Questionable: Gusto (Injured), James (Injured), Palmer (Injured)
Arsenal team news: Defensive concerns
Piero Hincapie joins fellow defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Riccardo Calafiori on the sidelines, while youngster Max Dowman is still unavailable for selection.
There are some doubts regarding William Saliba's condition too, so Arteta may be forced into something of a makeshift backline for this fixture.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Kepa; White, Timber, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Unavailable: Mosquera (Injured), Hincapie (Injured), Calafiori (Injured). Dowman (Injured)
Questionable: Saliba (Injured), Trossard (Injured)
Chelsea vs Arsenal prediction
Liam Rosenior would certainly endear himself to the Chelsea faithful should the Blues navigate their way past Arsenal in this two-legged semi-final, but that is easier said than done against a side who have been firing on all cylinders this season.
Having said that, Arsenal could be without a number of defenders for this fixture, and may not be as defensively sound as they have been at various stages this season.
On the other side of the pitch, meanwhile, the absence of the suspended Moises Caicedo will certainly not help Chelsea's defensive cause. With these factors in mind, both teams scoring could well occur, as was the case in their Premier League meeting at the end of November.
Chelsea vs Arsenal tip: Both teams to score
