Chelsea, under the guidance of new manager Enzo Maresca, are hitting their stride and will look to extend their winning run to three games as they host League Two side Barrow in the Carabao Cup.
The Blues are unbeaten in their last three matches, with back-to-back away wins against Bournemouth (1-0) and West Ham (3-0), which has elevated them to 5th place in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Barrow are flying high in League Two, sitting atop the table after narrowly missing out on a playoff spot last season.
Despite their solid start, they face an uphill battle at Stamford Bridge, especially given their inconsistent away form.
Barrow’s task to pull off an upset is massive, as Chelsea have been dominant in front of goal against lower-league opposition recently.
Chelsea’s Form:
Chelsea come into this tie with a growing sense of confidence. Under Maresca’s system, the team has found balance, with their defense holding firm and their attack beginning to click. Their recent form includes:
– 1-0 win away at Bournemouth
– 3-0 win away at West Ham
The Blues will aim to maintain this momentum in the Carabao Cup, and with squad rotation likely, younger talents and fringe players will have the chance to impress.
One such player is Mykhailo Mudryk, who has struggled for minutes but will look to make his mark in this game.
Barrow’s Challenge:
Barrow are enjoying a strong start to their League Two campaign, currently sitting at the top of the table.
They’ve secured two away victories in 2024, but both wins came recently, breaking a long spell of poor results away from home.
Despite their success, facing a Premier League powerhouse like Chelsea at Stamford Bridge is a monumental task.
Barrow will need a top performance from key players like Theo Vassell, who has scored in back-to-back games and will be looking to continue his goalscoring run.
If Barrow are to have any chance of success, they will need their defense to stand strong and their attack to take advantage of any rare opportunities.
Players to Watch:
- Mykhailo Mudryk (Chelsea): The Ukrainian winger has had limited game time but will be eager to prove himself if given the chance.
- Mudryk’s pace and trickery could cause significant problems for Barrow’s defense.
- Theo Vassell (Barrow): The in-form defender has found the net in consecutive games and will be one to look out for tomorrow.
- He will need to take any chance that comes his way if Barrow are to make this a competitive tie.
Key Stats:
– Chelsea have scored at least three goals in two of their last four matches against lower-league English opposition.
– Barrow’s two away victories in 2024 are their only successes on the road this year, making this a daunting challenge.
– Chelsea are unbeaten in their last three matches and have won each of their last two with clean sheets.
Potential Lineups :
Chelsea: 4-2-3-1 – Jorgensen; Disasi, Tosin, Colwill, Veiga; Caicedo, Drewsbury-Hall; Neto, Felix, Mudryk; Guiu.
Barrow: 4-2-3-1: Farman; Feely, Vassell, Stokes, Jackson; Campbell, Foley; Kouyate, Spence, Newby; Garner.
Score Prediction: Chelsea 4-0 Barrow
Where to Watch:
United Kingdom: Sky sports
United States: Apple TV
Canada: Apple TV
India: FanCode app/website
Australia: Apple TV
Nigeria: SuperSports.
Conclusion:
Chelsea will be strong favorites going into this Carabao Cup clash, especially on home turf. With the possibility of squad rotation, players like Mudryk will be eager to impress and could help Chelsea dominate the game.
Barrow, while impressive in League Two, face a monumental task and will need to play their best football to avoid being overrun by the Premier League side.
Expect Chelsea to control the match, and unless Barrow can pull off a miraculous performance, it could be a long day for the fourth-tier side.
