Betting sites like bonuskod-se.com have the Blues down as much less likely to win, with Liverpool considered heavy favourites.
That’s pretty reasonable, given the recent form both teams have shown, but we would always back Thomas Tuchel to produce a result in a game like this. His cup record at Chelsea is ridiculous – he’s reached the final of every one he’s entered, including this one, and his ability to set up a team in a tight game works perfectly, especially against top opposition like the Reds.
There’s also a sense that the events of last weekend in the league may play into the Blues’ hands somewhere. Until then, Liverpool were looking certain to finish second to Manchester City once again. Jurgen Klopp’s winning machine would once again fall short despite an astonishing record, and the EFL Cup would be a great chance for them to take our their frustration on a domestic adversary, with Chelsea potentially on the receiving end of a whole lot of pain.
Instead, City’s slip up against Spurs has catapulted Liverpool back into the mix, and could leave them suddenly distracted. There’s no doubt they will be at full strength and 100% effort when they take us on, but there’s no telling what the psychological effects of having another front open back up could be.
Chelsea meanwhile know they’re out of the title race, and just need to keep their heads above water in the top 4 race. The EFL Cup, along with the FA Cup and Champions League, are their targets this season now, and they can focus all their focus and periodisation around them.
The frustrations this team have had this season have largely come in games like the one they played on Saturday, where the sting of their missing full backs has really set in as they toil and fail to break down deep lying opposition.
Liverpool are built to attack, and Chelsea can hope to play a little differently against them, with several players likely licking their lips at the chance to get in behind Klopp’s flying full backs.
Let’s not pretend it will be east. In fact, it will be a test of the whole team, from Edouard Mendy to Romelu Lukaku, but given Tuchel’s cup record so far, the Blues have got every chance, no matter what the odds might say.
