Cup final team news: Chelsea vs Manchester City - Hudson-Odoi to start?

The Carabao Cup final presents a match-up between two sides aiming to make a real statement as Chelsea and Manchester City prepare to come to blows at Wembley (full match preview).

For Maurizio Sarri’s side it’s not only a chance to prove that they are capable of turning things around under the Italian, but to exact revenge on their humiliating 6-0 defeat at the Etihad earlier in the month. For City, meanwhile, victory would retain the trophy they won last year and give them another chance at making history.

The win for Pep Guardiola’s side this time last year ensured they had the chance to complete an historic quadruple, and the same opportunity lies in waiting having missed out on the FA Cup and Champions League last time around.

The champions were without the likes of John Stones, Benjamin Mendy and Gabriel Jesus for the trip to Schalke in midweek, though all three are recovering from injury and have not been ruled out of the final as things stand.

Fernandinho started the game in Germany at centre-back alongside Nicolas Otamendi though it was a far from convincing partnership, so Aymeric Laporte is likely to return to the heart of the defence having been fielded on the left in that game. Should Mendy miss out Oleksandr Zinchenko is in line to get the nod.

Elsewhere David Silva may have to make do with a place on the bench, and so too Riyad Mahrez, with Leroy Sane in line to be rewarded following his impact as a substitute on Wednesday.

Chelsea have been sweating on the fitness of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (hamstring) and Pedro (illness) this week, though the latter’s absence against Malmoe offered Callum Hudson-Odoi the chance to stake a claim, and boy did he do just that.

The 18-year-old capped a man of the match display on Thursday with a goal and will hope to get the nod on the right wing. Should Sarri revert to either Pedro or Willian on that side, it’s a decision that is unlikely to go down well with many of the fans after a week in which the club were handed a transfer ban that should encourage them to give youth a chance.

Elsewhere Ross Barkley and Mateo Kovacic resume their customary battle for the third spot in midfield, while Emerson will hope to get the nod over Marcos Alonso, who has struggled since switching to a more defensive full-back role and was exposed when the two sides last met.