Chelsea vs Blackburn Rovers: Preview, Team News & Predictions
Chelsea will look to brush off their uneven Premier League performances when they host Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Cup round-of-16.
Stamford Bridge will be under the lights once again, gracing its Blues as they prepare to rebuild following another low.
Just when it seemed like Mauricio Pochettino’s charges were marching ahead with two wins and an inspiring performance in the 2-2 draw against fierce rivals Arsenal, they were brought back to earth by Brentford.
Thomas Frank set his team up with a five at the back, stuck to his plans as he always does against ‘top six’ oppositions, and yet shocked Chelsea for the third time on the bounce away from home.
Switch to the cup, a 50th minute winner from Nicolas Jackson against Brighton and Hove Albion ensured Chelsea were in the pot for the next round.
The Blue and Whites have endured similar fortunes – laborious in the league, classy in the cup. A 5-2 thrashing of Cardiff City led to this fixture, before which they swatted Harrogate Town aside 8-0.
Jon Dahl Tomasson will know how to instill responsibility and zest in his players; a Chelsea side short of confidence and the occasion means Blackburn have little to lose.
On that note, we break down everything you need to know ahead of the fixture.
Team News
Chelsea
Club captain Reece James came off the bench to add precision to Chelsea’s game, and Pochettino will have to manage his minutes judiciously.
Benoit Badiashile, who was named to the substitutes list, could make his first appearance of the season.
It remains to be seen if Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Mudryk shake off their respective knocks, or whether it’s worth risking them in the cup.
Wesley Fofana, Ben Chilwell, Trevoh Chalobah, Christopher Nkunku and Armando Broja are likely to miss out, although the latter two are closer to returning to grass.
Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn’s only injury concern is that of Dominic Hyam, who suffered an ankle injury against Milwall and missed the Swansea match. Tomasson will rely on Arnor Sigurdsson and top-scorer Sammie Szmodics to supply the goals.
Predicted XI
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Disasi, Badiashile, Cucurella; Ugochukwu, Gallagher; Madueke, Washington, Maatsen; Jackson
Blackburn Rovers (4-5-1): Wahlstedt; Hill, Carter, Wharton, Pickering; Brittain, Rankin-Costello, Tronstad, Szmodics, Sigurdsson; Dolan
Match Prediction
As sorry as they looked in front of goal on Saturday, Chelsea’s constant probing and overwhelming possession should see them progress to the quarter-final of the tournament. Blackburn will have their chances, but the Blues should hold off their attack to staple another win.
Predicted score: Chelsea 2-0 Blackburn Rovers
-Roy Akarshak
Twitter: @RoyAkarshak
Photo: Ank Kumar. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.