Chelsea host Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night in the last eight of the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
The two clubs met at this stage of the competition last season – exactly a year ago to the day – with Alvaro Morata scoring a late winner for the Blues.
Morata stunned Bournemouth in last year’s quarter-final
The visitors will need a dramatic upturn in form if they are to avenge that result.
Eddie Howe’s men have suffered six defeats in their last seven games, while Chelsea have only been beaten twice in all competition under Maurizio Sarri and carry some good form into the clash.
Bournemouth are experiencing a bad run of form
Where can I listen?
Chelsea vs Bournemouth will be live on talkSPORT 2, kick-off 7.45pm. Click HERE to listen live or tune in via our radioplayer, below
What the managers are saying
Gianfranco Zola (Chelsea assistant): “We know Bournemouth is a dangerous team. They’ve gone far, even from last year. They keep improving.
“A very good coach (Eddie Howe) and a good team. We know the game will have a lot of difficulties.
“With all respect we know our potential, we’re getting better. We’ve had our bad spell, but we’re coming strong from that.”
Zola was full of praise for Bournemouth
Eddie Howe (Bournemouth): “It’s a great game for us, we’re very excited to be in the competition and trying to get to the semi-final.
“It’s well documented that we’ve never been in a major cup semi-final before, so what greater incentive can we have? We’re very excited to try and make that happen.
“We have a massive hurdle to overcome, one I really want my players and staff to relish and try to rise to.”
Team news
Chelsea have made six changes, with Eden Hazard dropping to the substitutes’ bench.
Andreas Christensen, Emerson Palmieri, Cesc Fabregas, Ross Barkley, Olivier Giroud and Ruben Loftus-Cheek start in place of David Luiz, Marcos Alonso, Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Pedro and Hazard, who suffered a foot knock in the win at Brighton.
Bournemouth also make six changes, with striker Callum Wilson, who has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, among those returning to the starting XI following the loss at Wolves.
Hazard limped off during Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over Brighton
Confirmed line-ups
Chelsea: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Christensen, Emerson Palmieri, Kovacic, Fabregas, Barkley, Willian, Giroud, Loftus-Cheek. Subs: Kante, Hazard, Pedro, Caballero, Hudson-Odoi, Zappacosta, Luiz.
AFC Bournemouth: Boruc, Steve Cook, Simpson, Daniels, Ibe, Stanislas, Brooks, Ake, Rico, Wilson, Mousset. Subs: Surman, Pugh, King, Defoe, Fraser, Mings, Travers.
This story was originally published by talkSPORT
via USAHint.com
No comments:
Post a Comment