EFL Cup Preview: Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Prediction, Preview, and Odds (Jan 23)

• Chelsea will be hoping to turn the tables on Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge
• Championship visitors hold a 1-0 advantage ahead of this away leg

The final of the EFL Cup will be set in late January, as the second legs in the semi-final stage will be competed. The first of the semi-finals will see Chelsea look to overcome a 1-0 advantage after suffering defeat at the Riverside against Middlesbrough in the first leg.

---

How To Watch

• When: Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at 3:00 p.m ET
• Where: Stamford Bridge, London, England
• How To Watch: ESPN

---

Odds

Match Result	Odds
Chelsea
Draw
Middlesbrough

---

Match Preview

The pressure will be on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, as they will need to bounce back from their opening leg defeat against Middlesbrough. The Blues will be looking to reach a second EFL Cup final in three seasons, while they are chasing a first victory in the competition since the 2014-15 campaign.

Chelsea only had themselves to blame for falling to defeat in the opening leg, as they bossed proceedings from start to finish against Boro. However, they were criminally wasteful in the final third of the field, missing a number of clear scoring opportunities. Overall, they registered five shots on target from their 72% share of the possession.

READ More: Australian Open Prediction: Women’s Australian Open Preview, Odds, and Picks (2024)

Good afternoon from Stamford Bridge. 🥶☀️ pic.twitter.com/Fg7eiSAIrx

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 16, 2024

It was a stunning result for Boro in the opening leg, and their defensive play gave them the platform to record the shock victory at the Riverside Stadium. Their winning goal was scored just before the half time break, with Hayden Hackney finding the net in the 37^th minute. That was one of just two shots on target that Boro recorded in the fixture.

Middlesbrough famously won the competition in 2003-04, but they haven’t reached the semi-final stage since that success. In fact, they have been eliminated in the opening round in each of the previous two seasons. But, their win in the opening leg gives them an excellent chance of reaching the final this term.

---

Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Prediction

An early goal for Chelsea could set the tone in this showdown. However, we think Boro has the defensive structure to cause real issues for the Blues, and we could see them getting the draw that they require to reach the EFL Cup final.

Free Pick: