Chelsea: Cech; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Terry (c), Filipe Luis; Mikel, Matic; Schurrle, Fabregas, Hazard; Drogba
Derby: Grant, Christie, Buxton, Keogh (c), Forsyth, Hughes, Mascarell, Bryson, Russell, Martin, Dawkins
League Cup Quarter Final, KO 19.45.
Focus shifts, from the premier league title race to the league cup, where quietly but surely Chelsea have made great strides towards claiming their first trophy of the year. Of all the teams left in the pot (following Man City losing in the last round), Newcastle perhaps are our biggest challenge remaining. With all due respect to Derby, this on paper looks like a comfortable route into the semi-final, especially after derby lost to (patrick Bamford's) Middelsbourough quite tamely this weekend.
Petr Cech continues in goal after a clean sheet and otherwise assured game in stead of the injured Courtois, Zouma comes in for ivanovic-it will be interesting to see how he performs tonight. Schurlle gets a rare start in stead of willian-he showed nice glimpses in europe and also last saturday for the last 15 minutes or so, hopefully he can keep it up tonight.
My only concern would be Drogba getting a start instead of Remy. Drogba is still a potent striker, but i'd love to see more of Remy as I feel his pace and technical ability really puts defenders on the cosh.
Prediction: 3-1 chelsea.
Derby: Grant, Christie, Buxton, Keogh (c), Forsyth, Hughes, Mascarell, Bryson, Russell, Martin, Dawkins
League Cup Quarter Final, KO 19.45.
Focus shifts, from the premier league title race to the league cup, where quietly but surely Chelsea have made great strides towards claiming their first trophy of the year. Of all the teams left in the pot (following Man City losing in the last round), Newcastle perhaps are our biggest challenge remaining. With all due respect to Derby, this on paper looks like a comfortable route into the semi-final, especially after derby lost to (patrick Bamford's) Middelsbourough quite tamely this weekend.
Petr Cech continues in goal after a clean sheet and otherwise assured game in stead of the injured Courtois, Zouma comes in for ivanovic-it will be interesting to see how he performs tonight. Schurlle gets a rare start in stead of willian-he showed nice glimpses in europe and also last saturday for the last 15 minutes or so, hopefully he can keep it up tonight.
My only concern would be Drogba getting a start instead of Remy. Drogba is still a potent striker, but i'd love to see more of Remy as I feel his pace and technical ability really puts defenders on the cosh.
Prediction: 3-1 chelsea.


