Chelsea will begin their Carabao Cup campaign against Wimbledon AFC who they host at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening.
The Blues enter this competition in the second round after having finished 12th on the log and failed to qualify for Europe last season. They will take on Wimbledon, a League Two side.
Mauricio Pochettino will be aiming to build on the much-needed victory they secured on Friday in the Premier League against Luton Town.
For Wimbledon, they are currently unbeaten in League Two and sit fifth in the table standings with 9 points.
To reach the second round, the Dons came from behind to beat Championship’s Coventry 2-1 at at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
Team News
Chelsea is expected to rest a number of senior players for this game including Raheem Sterling and Nicholas Jackson, who found the back of the net on Friday.
Noni Madueke, Ian Maatsen, Lesley Ogochukwu and Mason Burstow are expected to start alongside Marc Cucurella, who has been in the news in the last couple of weeks due to his Manchester United links.
Romeo Lavia isn’t expected to make his debut as yet as he ain’t fit enough to play.
Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Christopher Nkunku, Armando Broja, Mykhailo Murdyk and Carney Chukwuemeka are out with injuries.
For Wimbledon, captain Jake Reeves and Armani Little are both out with injuries they suffered in the Club’s last game, and join Paul Kalambayi and Huseyin Biler on the sidelines.
Key Stats
This is the first meeting between the two clubs in this competition.
Chelsea has faced Wimbledon FC on 30 occasions in all competitions, winning 12 and losing seven. The most recent encounter was in the Premier League in 2000.
Chelsea have won the Carabao Cup five times, with their last coming in 2015.
What has been said by both managers
Speaking ahead of this game, Wimbledon manager said his side is capable of putting up a shock.
“Look, we aren’t stupid – if Chelsea turn up and they’re on their game, it will be really difficult. It wouldn’t be the first time there’s been a shock in football. That’s what we want to do – that’s why we play the game.”
Pochettino said he wants to win every competition that Chelsea plays in including the Carabao Cup.
“I want to win the Carabao Cup, win the FA Cup and win the Premier League. In Tottenham, I never said, I think, I was trying to explain… I want to win tomorrow, the cups, the Premier League. Maybe, my English was not good enough [before].”
“I want to win every single competition. I want to win. Now I’m older, I cannot wait. It’s no time to waste. It’s about to win. That’s the idea I want to translate to the players and the staff.”
