Chelsea Look to Keep Momentum Going in EFL Cup Clash with Barrow

Chelsea Aiming to Extend Strong Form in EFL Cup Clash Against Barrow

Chelsea are set to welcome League Two side Barrow to Stamford Bridge for their third-round EFL Cup match on Tuesday. The gap between the two teams in the English football hierarchy is stark, with Chelsea 64 places ahead, the largest difference in this round.

Match Preview

Despite the off-field issues surrounding Chelsea this summer, Enzo Maresca has kept his team focused and performing well. Their latest outing saw them secure a 3-0 win over West Ham United at the London Stadium, a result that elevated them to a top-four Premier League spot. This victory also marked back-to-back clean sheets for the first time in a year and extended their run to just two defeats in 20 league matches.

Maresca’s achievements so far are impressive, becoming the first manager since his former mentor Pep Guardiola to win his first three away games in the Premier League, a feat Guardiola accomplished in 2015.

Nicolas Jackson was the star of the show against West Ham, scoring two goals within 18 minutes, a record for the fastest Chelsea brace since Didier Drogba in 2005. Cole Palmer added a third goal early in the second half, capping off a superb counter-attacking move.

With Chelsea competing on four fronts again this season, squad rotation will be crucial. Their next Premier League fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion looms large, and their Conference League campaign begins soon with a match against Gent. As such, Maresca is likely to make significant changes for the EFL Cup clash with Barrow.

Chelsea received a bye into the third round of the cup due to their European involvement, and despite recent domestic success, they haven’t lifted the EFL Cup since 2015. They’ve reached three finals since then, most recently losing to Liverpool in the February final at Wembley.

For Barrow, this match represents a rare and exciting opportunity. The League Two side has reached the third round of the EFL Cup for the first time in over 50 years. Barrow, who returned to the EFL just five years ago, have already eliminated Port Vale and Derby County to earn their trip to Stamford Bridge.

Currently sitting at the top of League Two after a 2-0 win over Newport County, Stephen Clemence’s side is in strong form, having claimed 16 points from a possible 21.

Team News

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is expected to rotate his squad heavily, possibly making up to 11 changes for this match given the strength and depth of his side. Key players like Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer are likely to be rested.

Christopher Nkunku is expected to lead the attack, with support from Pedro Neto, Joao Felix, and Mykhaylo Mudryk. Reece James remains out due to injury, but both Romeo Lavia and Malo Gusto could be in contention for a return, depending on their fitness.

Barrow manager Stephen Clemence also made some changes for their weekend win against Newport, and those decisions paid off. Wyll Stanway could return in goal after being replaced by Paul Farman for that match. Neo Eccleston, who came off the bench in the victory, is expected to start, while Katia Kouyate may retain his place after impressing against Newport.

Chelsea Possible Starting Lineup:
Jorgensen; Disasi, Badiashile, Tosin, Colwill; Renato Veiga, Dewsbury-Hall; Pedro Neto, Joao Felix, Mudryk; Nkunku

Barrow Possible Starting Lineup:
Stanway; Feely, Vassell, Stokes, Jackson; Campbell, Foley, Spence; Kouyate, Garner, Newby