Championship mid-table outfit Middlesbrough host Premier League mid-table outfit Chelsea in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final at the Riverside Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Michael Carrick's men eased to a 3-0 win over Port Vale in the quarter-finals, while the Blues overcame Newcastle United on penalties after a 1-1 draw, and here Sports Mole rounds up the team news for both clubs.
MIDDLESBROUGH vs. CHELSEA
© Reuters
MIDDLESBROUGH
Out: Finn Azaz (cup-tied), Sam Greenwood (cup-tied), Morgan Rogers (suspended), Samuel Silvera (international), Seny Dieng (international), Riley McGree (international), Tom Smith (Achilles), Darragh Lenihan (Achilles), Lewis O'Brien (ankle), Marcus Forss (thigh), Patrick McNair (back)
Doubtful: None
Sports Mole's predicted XI: Glover; Van den Berg, Clarke, Fry, Bangura; Howson, Barlaser; Jones, Crooks, Latte Lath; Coburn
CHELSEA
Out: Nicolas Jackson (international), Andrey Santos (cup-tied), Reece James (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (knee), Marc Cucurella (ankle), Robert Sanchez (knee), Lesley Ugochukwu (hamstring), Trevoh Chalobah (thigh), Romeo Lavia (thigh), Christopher Nkunku (hip), Ben Chilwell (hamstring), Carney Chukwuemeka (knee), Benoit Badiashile (unspecified)
Doubtful: None
Sports Mole's predicted XI: Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Gallagher, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sterling; Broja
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ben Knapton
