Compared to the FA Cup, the League Cup enjoys considerably less prestige on the Island. The defending champion is Manchester United, and the record winner is Liverpool with nine cups. Manchester City have managed to win five of the last eight editions of this tournament, but Guardiola’s side will not continue their trophy haul in the League Cup as they bowed out in the third round.Now only four clubs remain, fighting for silverware and the automatic right to start the season in the Conference League. The only remaining second-division team from the country’s northeast has particularly high aspirations. However, before the first leg of the semi-final between Middlesbrough and Chelsea, coach Michael Carrick’s side are clear underdogs.There have already been 23 different winners of the League Cup, which is often derisively called the “Mickey Mouse Cup” on the Island. One of them was Middlesbrough, who managed to secure the cup in the final against Bolton in 2004. Exactly 20 years later, club leaders, fans and of course players are hoping that history will repeat itself.Even entering this semi-final can be considered a great success for the second-division team. The question of luck played a particularly important role, because in the first five games the red and whites did not actually have to eliminate a single member of the Premier League. However, Boro were consistently visitors in League Cup matches.🔵Michael Carrick might surprises everybody tonight he has done a remarkable job at Middlesbrough!!Middlesbrough vs Chelsea tonight 🔥🔥#CarabaoCuppic.twitter.com/HmFDcL52bg— 01FNEWS (@01FNEWS) January 9, 2024 The atmosphere at home against a club from England’s top flight this season is not entirely new for Carrick’s men. Last weekend, Boro faced Premier League title contender Aston Villa in the third round of the FA Cup at Riverside Stadium. The Lions held their own against an opponent that was not an obvious B team and conceded an unfortunate goal three minutes from time, resulting in a 1-0 defeat.Boro currently have one of the best home defenses in the Championship with just 14 goals conceded in 13 home games. However, three of the last four league battles were lost at home.The personnel situation in the club from the north is tense. Rodgers is suspended, top scorer Greenwood and Azaz are not eligible to play in the Cup, Silvera and McGree went to the Asian Cup with the Australian national team. The omens are therefore not particularly good, but the fans will be pushing their heroes forward in the most important cup match in the club’s recent history.For Chelsea, the League Cup is probably more important this season than anything else. If those in charge at Stamford Bridge assumed that their squad, which has been expensively strengthened this summer, would certainly play an important role in the race for a place in the Champions League and the battle for the laurels in the Premier League, there are currently indications that cup competitions, above all, offer a better chance for breaking into the international scene.DID YOU KNOW…Chelsea have won their last nine meetings with Middlesbrough in all competitions by an aggregate score of 21-0.#beINSPORTS #Boro #CFC pic.twitter.com/vhGLruNylq— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) January 9, 2024 The London Blues won the “easiest” opponent on paper in the semi-finals of the less important English Cup. The final at Wembley at the end of February is, according to many, “looming” between Chelsea and Liverpool, but both teams have to do their work in the semi-finals first.That this will not be a sure success, especially in the case of Mauricio Pochettino’s team, is highlighted by the sobering season in the Premier League so far. Chelsea are only in 10th position and have long since lost sight of the top five, as they are currently 11 points behind.The Blues are constantly struggling with inexplicable failures, but at least they managed to regain some confidence in the FA Cup at the weekend. Chelsea outclassed Preston 4-0 at home, but progressing to the semi-finals of the League Cup is worth more, as two equally capable opponents, Brighton and Newcastle, were brought to their knees.Flowers are not blooming in the Blues camp either, because Chelsea also has to be without some important players. Striker Nicolas Jackson is at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Chalobah, Chilwell, Chukwuemeka, Cuccurella, Fofana, James, Lavia, Nkunku, Sanchez and Ugochukwu are also out, while Badiashile is questionable. Serbian goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović expects to start at Riverside.The Last Time Chelsea went up to face Middlesbrough, Hakim Ziyech scored an absolute beauty.Need Cole Palmer to recreate that goal.pic.twitter.com/wo8vMm4XLt— AzM (@CFCAzM) January 9, 2024 Cup competitions have a certain charm because they are an opportunity for outsiders to pull off a surprise, however, the fact that in the current phase the game is played over two legs makes Middlesbrough’s chances significantly smaller, as they will have to confirm a possible positive result at home at Stamford Bridge.The last time these rivals met two years ago was in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, when Chelsea won 2-0 and went to the next stage, but it stopped in the final, where it suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against Liverpool. The London club mostly justified the role of favorites against teams from the lower ranks in the previous period without any problems, and when it comes to meetings with Middlesbrough, they won in nine past matches, that is, in every match since 2006.Chelsea on the verge of breaking FIFA rules over Maatsen’s loan to DortmundEFL CUPSemi-finalsTuesday23:00: (6.00) Middlesbrough. (4.00) Chelsea (1.57)Wednesday23:00: (1.37) Liverpool (5.10) Fulham (7.75)***odds are subject to change***
