Chelsea must overturn Tottenham’s 1-0 semi-final first-leg lead on Thursday night to reach the Carabao Cup final.
The Blues go into the clash at Stamford Bridge on the back of a 2-0 defeat at Arsenal last Saturday.
The manner of his team’s capitulation at the hands of the Gunners left manager Maurizio questioning his players’ motivation and commitment.
The Italian will therefore be demanding a reaction and a much improved performance as he looks to reach his first cup final in his first season in charge.
Spurs will do well to drive home their slender one-goal advantage. The north Londoners’ hopes of reaching the final are imperilled by the absence of a raft of key players.
Mauricio Pochettino is presiding over a squad severely depleted by injuries and player departures.
It is in attack were the absences will be more keenly felt, with Harry Kane and Son Heung- Min both unavailable.
Dele Alli also faces an extend spell on the sidelines, with the forward expected to be out until March due to a hamstring injury.
Fernando Llorente stepped into the breach at Fulham on Sunday where Spurs laboured to a 2-1 win and needed a last-gasp goal by Harry Winks to clinch the points.
The clash on Thursday is the third between these two sides this season, with Spurs having already beaten the Blues 3-1 in the league prior to the first leg of this semi-final tie.
On the whole, Chelsea will be out to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat at the hands of their bitter rivals.
All eyes will be on Sarri’s selection, with many keen to see whether the Blues boss will persist with his deployment of Eden Hazard as a “False 9” flanked by Pedro and Willian.
TEAM NEWS
Chelsea are expected to complete the signing of Gonzalo Higuain on Tuesday, but the striker won't feature against Spurs after missing the registration deadline.
The Blues will also be without Alvaro Morata after the club agreed a loan-to-buy deal for the striker with Atletico Madrid.
That leaves Olivier Giroud as the only orthodox striker should Sarri decide to ditch the formation he employed against Arsenal.
Tottenham will be shorn of the services of forward trio Harry Kane (ankle), Dele Alli (hamstring) and Son Heung-Min (international duty)
Eric Dier is in line for a starting role after returning to the matchday squad as a substitute at Fulham. The midfielder had been out for an extended period following appendix surgery.
Midfielder Moussa Sissoko missed the trip to Craven Cottage with as groin injury as did Lucas Moura, although the latter is understood to be nearing a return.
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Chelsea v Tottenham
bet365 match odds: Chelsea 13/20, Draw 31/10, Tottenham 19/4
Chelsea must overturn Tottenham’s 1-0 semi-final first-leg lead on Thursday night to reach the Carabao Cup final.
The Blues go into the clash at Stamford Bridge on the back of a 2-0 defeat at Arsenal last Saturday.
The manner of his team’s capitulation at the hands of the Gunners left manager Maurizio questioning his players’ motivation and commitment.
The Italian will therefore be demanding a reaction and a much improved performance as he looks to reach his first cup final in his first season in charge.
Spurs will do well to drive home their slender one-goal advantage. The north Londoners’ hopes of reaching the final are imperilled by the absence of a raft of key players.
Mauricio Pochettino is presiding over a squad severely depleted by injuries and player departures.
It is in attack were the absences will be more keenly felt, with Harry Kane and Son Heung- Min both unavailable.
Dele Alli also faces an extend spell on the sidelines, with the forward expected to be out until March due to a hamstring injury.
Fernando Llorente stepped into the breach at Fulham on Sunday where Spurs laboured to a 2-1 win and needed a last-gasp goal by Harry Winks to clinch the points.
The clash on Thursday is the third between these two sides this season, with Spurs having already beaten the Blues 3-1 in the league prior to the first leg of this semi-final tie.
On the whole, Chelsea will be out to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat at the hands of their bitter rivals.
All eyes will be on Sarri’s selection, with many keen to see whether the Blues boss will persist with his deployment of Eden Hazard as a “False 9” flanked by Pedro and Willian.
TEAM NEWS
Chelsea are expected to complete the signing of Gonzalo Higuain on Tuesday, but the striker won't feature against Spurs after missing the registration deadline.
The Blues will also be without Alvaro Morata after the club agreed a loan-to-buy deal for the striker with Atletico Madrid.
That leaves Olivier Giroud as the only orthodox striker should Sarri decide to ditch the formation he employed against Arsenal.
Tottenham will be shorn of the services of forward trio Harry Kane (ankle), Dele Alli (hamstring) and Son Heung-Min (international duty)
Eric Dier is in line for a starting role after returning to the matchday squad as a substitute at Fulham. The midfielder had been out for an extended period following appendix surgery.
Midfielder Moussa Sissoko missed the trip to Craven Cottage with as groin injury as did Lucas Moura, although the latter is understood to be nearing a return.
BETTING TIP
Chelsea to win by one goal @ 5/2 bet365
Head to Head Comparison
Chelsea - Last 5 Matches
Tottenham - Last 5 Matches