Chelsea vs Middlesbrough EFL Cup predictions: tips, odds and team news
Chelsea will be hoping to turn things around when they host Middlesbrough in the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final on Tuesday at 8pm (UK time).
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Chelsea vs Middlesbrough odds
For the last time, the EFL Cup semi-finals are across two legs and Chelsea will be thankful for that. The Blues go into this game trailing 1-0 from the first leg, having suffered a shock result at the Riverside. For Chelsea, the EFL Cup provides arguably their best route back into European football — with that looking unlikely through the league this season. The Blues have won the EFL Cup five times, last tasting success in 2014/15 when they beat Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham. Since then, the Blues have lost two finals, beaten by Manchester City and Liverpool in 2018/19 and 2021/22 respectively, both on penalties. After losing the first leg, Chelsea did bounce back to beat Fulham in the league, but they haven’t played in a week.
Middlesbrough, meanwhile, just need to avoid defeat to reach the EFL Cup final for the fourth time. Boro finished as runners-up in 1996/97 and 1997/98 before finally winning the trophy in 2003/04. Since that success over Bolton in Cardiff, Boro have only reached the quarter-final stage five times including this season, so this will be a positive no matter what. Having lost back-to-back games before beating Chelsea, Middlesbrough are unbeaten in three, coupling their victory over the Blues with another against Millwall, before drawing with Rotherham at the weekend.
Chelsea vs Middlesbrough predictions
Chelsea vs Middlesbrough: Predictions |
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| Bet | Prediction | BetMGM odds |
| BTTS? | Yes | 17/20 |
| Correct Score | Chelsea 3-1 Middlesbrough | 9/1 |
| First Goalscorer | Cole Palmer | 17/4 |
Odds correct at the time of writing. 18+ Only. Terms and Conditions Apply.
The stats behind our Chelsea vs Middlesbrough predictions:
- Chelsea are unbeaten in their past eight home games across all competitions.
- Six of those have been wins, with a seventh coming on penalties in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.
- Cole Palmer has scored five goals at Stamford Bridge this season.
- Chelsea have conceded in 10 of their 16 home games this season.
- Middlebrough haven’t beaten Chelsea at Stamford Bridge since March 1975.
Chelsea vs Middlesbrough match tip
Cole Palmer to have over 1.5 shots on target @ 21/20
Cole Palmer will have been tough on himself after Chelsea’s first-leg defeat to Middlesbrough, having missed key chances to score. The 21-year-old had four shots in total, more than any other player on the pitch, and hit the target twice — again a match-high. But Palmer didn’t test Tom Glover in the Middlesbrough goal enough, so he’ll be hoping to make up for that this week.
Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Bet-Builder tip
Chelsea to win, BTTS and over 1.5 Chelsea cards
Chelsea haven’t been strangers to a yellow card this season, averaging 3.28 cards per game in the Premier League this season. The Blues have also been pretty leaky defensively at home, despite back-to-back clean sheets at Stamford Bridge, conceding in 10 of their 16 home matches so far this season. However, they do go into this game unbeaten in eight at Stamford Bridge across all competitions.
Chelsea vs Middlesbrough
Bet
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Reason for tip
Chelsea are unbeaten in their past eight home games across all competitions.
Reason for tip
Chelsea have conceded in 10 of their 16 home games this season.
Reason for tip
Chelsea have averaged 3.28 cards per game in the Premier League this season.
Chelsea vs Middlesbrough team news
Chelsea team news |
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| In | Out | Doubtful |
| – | Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez, Trevoh Chalobah, Christopher Nkunku, Lesley Ugochukwu, Romeo Lavia, Nicolas Jackson, Malo Gusto | – |
Chelsea’s injury worries aren’t easing, with Christopher Nkunku missing out due to a hip problem, just after returning. Also out are Malo Gusto, Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Romeo Lavia, Lesley Ugochukwu and Robert Sanchez, though the latter isn’t expected to need surgery. Nicolas Jackson is away on international duty.
Middlesbrough team news |
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| In | Out | Doubtful |
| Morgan Rogers | Finn Azaz, Sam Greenwood, Samuel Silvera, Riley McGree, Seny Dieng, Emmanuel Latte Lath, Alex Mangura, Darragh Lenihan, Tom Smith | Isaiah Jones, Jonny Howson |
Isaiah Jones ran Levi Colwill ragged in the first leg but is a doubt for this match, having picked up an injury at the weekend. Middlesbrough are also without Samuel Silvera, Riley McGree and Seny Dieng due to international duty, while Sam Greenwood and Finn Azaz are cup-tied, but Morgan Rogers is available after missing the first leg through suspension.
Chelsea vs Middlesbrough head-to-head record
- 9 January 2024 – Middlesbrough 1-0 Chelsea – EFL Cup
- 19 March 2022 – Middlesbrough 0-2 Chelsea – FA Cup
- 8 May 2017 – Chelsea 3-0 Middlesbrough – Premier League
- 20 November 2016 – Middlesbrough 0-1 Chelsea – Premier League
- 27 February 2013 – Middlesbrough 0-2 Chelsea – FA Cup
Middlesbrough’s win over Chelsea in the first leg ended a nine-game losing streak for them in this fixture. The last time they beat Chelsea, they won back-to-back matches, in 2006.
