Middlesbrough vs Chelsea – Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips 09/01/2024

This Tuesday we will have the first clash of the semi-final stage of the English League Cup, between Middlesbrough and Chelsea.

Unlike the rest of the competition, now the clashes are round-trip, to decide who advances to the grand final.

Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough is a team from the second division of English football, venturing into the League Cup and also the FA Cup.

The last time they took the field, last weekend, in the FA Cup, the team ended up being eliminated in the round of 32.

Playing at home, they could draw the game against Aston Villa, which would require a second match. But the team lost 1-0, with a goal conceded in the 87th minute of the game.

Facing another first division team, we can take the previeus match as a reference, as even at home Middlesbrough had less than 40% possession of the ball, managing only 4 shots throughout the game, compared to Aston Villa’s 12.

The tendency against Chelsea is to also adopt a more reactive game. Due to the fact that there are 2 games, it is more difficult for a second division team to overcome one of the main teams in the country.

Still, it takes advantage of a not very good season for the Chelsea team, but it certainly won’t be positive, not even at home.

Chelsea will be their biggest challenge in the competition and in fact, they’ll be the first Premier League team faced in the tournament.

Chelsea

The Blues arrive for this clash having already faced a first division team, when they beat Brighton.

But Chelsea haven’t been having a good season, although their momentum is positive.

Last weekend, they managed to advance in the FA Cup, when they beat Preston 4-0 at home.

Before that, they had won 2 consecutive Premier League victories, beating Crystal Palace 2-1 and Luton 3-2.

Still, with the positive results in the first division, Chelsea is only in tenth place with 28 points.

They are 17 below the leader and 12 less than the last team in the Champions League qualifying zone.

In 20 games they have won 8 and lost 8, as well as 4 draws, with 34 goals scored and 31 conceded.

It’s certainly not a campaign worthy of a club of its size, but they’re still favorites against Middlesbrough, which against Aston Villa was a completely pragmatic and defensive team.

Conclusion:

I believe that Chelsea has the chance to start with a good victory. But I don’t believe that, at least in this first match, a score with many goals will be established. Therefore, the line of fewer goals can also be an interesting option.