Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker:
Turning their attention back to EFL Cup duties on Tuesday night, Chelsea will travel to the Riverside when they meet Middlesbrough for their semi-final first leg.
Middlesbrough
Starting with the hosts, while Middlesbrough might have opened up the 2023/24 campaign with their sights set on punching another play-off ticket, Michael Carrick’s men do find themselves at the heart of an extended rut. Suffering FA Cup heartbreak over the weekend as they fell to a late 1-0 loss at the hands of Premier League high-flyers Aston Villa, the ex-Manchester United coach will be bracing himself for another stern examination here. Putting in a nightmare display on New Year’s Day as they opened 2024 with a 3-1 drumming at home against Coventry, Middlesbrough have now lost three of their previous four appearances across all competitions. Likewise, Carrick will also have a mounting headache over his side’s extended issues on home soil. Including a 2-1 loss at the hands of Hull, Boro have lost four of their last five showdowns at the Riverside a run that stems back to November 28th.
Team News
While Finn Azaz might have arrived at the Riverside last week following a £2million move from Aston Villa, the 23-year-old is cup-tied and will not make his Middlesbrough debut on Tuesday night. Likewise, Leeds loanee Sam Greenwood is also ineligible to feature here.
While 35-year-old Jonathan Howson might have been handed an FA Cup rest over the weekend, the former Norwich midfielder should be handed a full recall at the Riverside. Australia international Tom Glover will keep his spot between the sticks.
Chelsea
As for the visitors, while Chelsea might be seeking a minor miracle in their bid to book a crucial Champions League return, the Blues do appear to have turned a recent corner. Extending on their FA Cup adventure over the weekend as they breezed their way to a routine 4-0 romp against Championship outfit Preston, Mauricio Pochettino’s men should find the mood in their camp at a season-high. Signing off 2023 with an action-packed 3-2 victory against relegation scrappers Luton, the former Tottenham boss has seen his side win five of their previous six appearances across all competitions. Punching their EFL Cup semi-final ticket last month as they clinched a penalties victory against Newcastle, Tuesday’s guests have also found a major clinical edge in the final third. In fact, Pochettino’s side have won all of their last three outings by an aggregate score of 9-3.
Team News
Missing out against Preston over the weekend after dealing with a recent injury setback, Chelsea are once again sweating over the fitness of Christopher Nkunku here. Likewise, the Blues have already confirmed that they will travel to the Riverside without the likes of Reece James, Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez and Romeo Lavia.
Bagging an FA Cup strike on Saturday afternoon and notching a first domestic goal since the start of October, Albania international Armando Broja should keep his spot spearheading Chelsea’s charge here.
Key Factors to Consider
