Chelsea vs Liverpool: Carabap Cup Final team news and prediction

 

It's Carabao Cup final day as Chelsea and Liverpool face off with the first piece of domestic silverware up for grabs at Wembley. Ahead of this one, we provide all the necessary pre-match information, including where to watch the final, what time the game kicks off, team news and probable XIs. 

 

When is kick off?     

Sunday 27th February, 16:30 GMT     

Where is the match?     

Wembley Stadium, London 

What TV channel is it on?     

Sky Sports Main Event / Sky Sports Football 

 

Route to the final 

 

Chelsea were taken all the way by both Aston Villa and Southampton in the early rounds of the Carabao Cup, beating both on penalties to set up a quarter-final meeting with west London rivals Brentford. The Blues eased passed the Bees, as a late Pontus Jansson own goal and a Jorginho penalty saw them progress to the semi-finals. 

 

Here, Chelsea met fierce rivals Tottenham, but were far and away the better team in both legs as Kai Havertz and a Ben Davies own goal saw them win 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. Antonio Rudiger settled the tie in the first half of the second leg as Thomas Tuchel's side booked their place in the Carabao Cup final with a 3-0 aggregate win over Spurs. 

 

Liverpool had a far easier start to the competition than Chelsea, beating Norwich and Preston to secure their spot in the quarter-final. Here, they played Leicester at Anfield and played out an entertaining 3-3 draw with the Foxes, eventually progressing to the next round after defeating Brendan Rodgers' side on penalties. 

 

The Reds welcomed Arsenal to Anfield in their semi-final first leg meeting, but were held to a 0-0 draw by a resolute Gunners outfit, reduced to 10 men midway through the first half. Any hopes Arsenal had of a second leg victory were extinguished by Diogo Jota's brace, the Portuguese forward netting either side of half time, as Arsenal's evening ended on a real sour note on account of Thomas Partey's late red. 

 

 

Team news 

 

Kepa Arrizabalaga is expected to start between the sticks having played every Carabao Cup game, and impressed in Chelsea's progression to the final. Mateo Kovacic and Hakim Ziyech both sustained knocks in Chelsea's 2-0 Champions League win over Lille in midweek, but should be fit to start, while Mason Mount and Callum Hudson-Odoi are also expected to be fine to feature. Reece James may also make the matchday squad for the first time this year, however Ben Chilwell misses out. Christian Pulisic and Kai Havertz are tipped to start in attack, the latter boasting an excellent record in finals. 

 

For Liverpool, Diogo Jota is likely to overcome an ankle injury to fetaure in some capacity, which is a boost given the absence of Roberto Firmino. Jurgen Klopp, though, could stick with a front three of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz, with the trio impressing in recent wins over Norwich and Leeds. Klopp could also call upon Thiago, the Spaniard potentially joining Fabinho and Jordan Henderson in the middle of the park. The Reds boss has also confirmed that Caoimhin Kelleher will start between the sticks at Wembley today. 

 

Probable XIs 

 

Chelsea vs Liverpool: Carabap Cup Final team news and prediction

 

Chelsea (3421) - Kepa; Christensen, Silva, Rudiger; Azpilicueta, Kante, Kovacic, Alonso; Ziyech, Pulisic; Havertz 

 

Liverpool (433) - Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Jota, Mane

 

Key Battle: Kepa vs Caoimhin Kelleher

 

There are a number of intriguing match ups for the 2022 Carabao Cup final, but perhaps the stand out one is the battle of the goalkeepers. Kepa stood in well for Edouard Mendy during the latter's successful AFCON campaign with Senegal and has been a key man for the Blues in their progression to the Carabao Cup final. Indeed, the Spaniard has returned a WhoScored rating of 7.48 in the competition, all the while establishing himself as a penalty saving machine.

 

Kepa has made more penalty shootout saves (7) than any other goalkeeper in Chelsea's history and if today's final does go the whole distance, then supporters can be confident that the 27-year-old will be able to keep the Reds out. Caoimhin Kelleher hasn't featured as frequently as Kepa in the competition, starting three of five Carabao Cup games, but Jurgen Klopp has confirmed the 23-year-old will feature from the outset at Wembley.

 

Today's Carabao Cup showdown will mark Kelleher's eighth league appearance of the season, one of which was the 2-2 draw between the pair at Stamford Bridge last month. Could the lack of game time come back to haunt Liverpool and Kelleher? The young shotstopper has been solid when called upon, but a domestic cup final is a different matter entirely.

 

Score Prediction: Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool

Chelsea vs Liverpool: Carabap Cup Final team news and prediction