English football’s first piece of major silverware is up for grabs this Sunday as Manchester City take on Chelsea at Wembley Stadium in the Carabao Cup final. Holders, Manchester City, will arrive at Wembley as hot favourites to claim a sixth League Cup title and are already being back by many to claim an unprecedented clean sweep of trophies this season.
The two sides met in the Premier League earlier this month with Manchester City running out comfortable winners in their emphatic 6-0 win. City were also the victors when they faced each other at Wembley in this season’s Community Shield. In the season’s curtain-raiser, Manchester City ran out 2-0 winners.
Both Manchester City and Chelsea have won countless trophies in recent years yet surprisingly they’ve not met in the League Cup since Manchester City claimed a 1-0 win in the third round back in October 1993.
Team News
The biggest selection dilemma facing City boss, Pep Guardiola, is in goal. Ederson has been instrumental to City’s success under Guardiola but up until now, youngster, Arijanet Muric, has been selected between the posts in all of Manchester City’s Carabao Cup games. Muric was the City hero in the quarter final, saving two penalties in their penalty shoot-out win over Leicester City.
In his pre-match press conference, Guardiola was asked whether Muric would keep his place between the posts. He responded, “We will see, I have to think about it. He is an important player to be where we are, he was important at Leicester in the penalties. He has been really good and we trust him.”
Elsewhere, the holders could be boosted by the return of Benjamin Mendy, Gabriel Jesus and John Stones. The trio have all been absent through injury recently but could be in contention for a place amongst the substitutes.
Chelsea could be without Pedro and Davide Zappacosta for the trip to Wembley. Whilst they face a goalkeeping headache of their own. Number one, Kepa Arrizabalaga, is doubtful as he struggles with a hamstring injury. if he fails to recover in time then Chelsea are likely to start with former City ‘keeper, Willy Caballero, instead.
One player certain to start at Wembley is Manchester City’s all-time top scorer, Sergio Aguero. The Argentine forward has been in red-hot form recently scoring ten goals in his last seven games. Aguero claimed a hat-trick in that 6-0 win against Chelsea earlier this month.
Sergio Aguero has registered 13 goals in 16 games against Chelsea in all competitions. Hoping to emulate Didier Drogba in 2007 and 2008, Aguero can become just the second player to score in back-to-back League Cup finals if he scores on Sunday. You can back Aguero to score at anytime with InterBet at odds of 10/11. He is 16/5 to score first and 4/1 to score two or more.
Whilst Manchester City continue their charge towards success in all four competitions, Sunday’s opponents, Chelsea, are in a desperate run of form. Pressure has started to mount on manager, Maurizio Sarri in recent weeks and many believe that defeat in the Carabao Cup final will be Sarri’s last game in charge of Chelsea.
In response to the current managerial uncertainty at Stamford Bridge, opposing manager, Pep Guardiola, heaped praise on the Manchester City hierarchy. Referring to a difficult first season in English football, Guardiola explained,
“In my first year never the club doubted me. It was never in the media that I’d be sacked if we lose this game. When it was difficult, I said we needed time and they supported me. The players knew who was the manager and who would be the manager. It was stable, that’s the best way to do something for a long time, not just a short period.”
Guardiola added, “I was surprised that when Antonio Conte won the title and they lost one or two games at the beginning of the season, people start to say he was going to be sacked.”
With five wins apiece, only Liverpool have been more successful in this competition, winning the League Cup on eight occasions. Manchester City and Chelsea have won the trophy in four of the past five seasons.
If Manchester City retain the trophy, they’ll follow Nottingham Forest (1978 & 1979 and 1989 & 1990) Liverpool (1981 – 1985) and Manchester United (2009 & 2010) in claiming successive League Cup titles.
Match Odds
Manchester City – 11/20
Draw – 10/3
Chelsea – 47/10
To Win Carabao Cup
Manchester City – 2/7
Chelsea – 12/5