Chelsea and Arsenal Clash: Bold Predictions, Key Lineups, and What to Expect
West London neighbors Chelsea and Arsenal clash with a place in the Carabao Cup final on the line, as the Blues welcome their rivals for the opening leg this Wednesday evening.
The victorious team from this matchup will meet the winner of Newcastle United's two-match series against Manchester City in the tournament's finale on March 16.
Premier League table-toppers Arsenal are especially eager to break their six-year trophy drought this season, and Mikel Arteta's squad are well-positioned to achieve this goal. They maintain a six-point advantage at the summit of the table, rank among the top Champions League contenders, and remain in contention for both domestic trophies.
Victory in this tournament could provide the momentum they need for the final stretch.
Despite Arsenal's recent dominance over their cross-town rivals, Chelsea now feature a new manager on the sideline. Liam Rosenior makes his Stamford Bridge debut in midweek, following his supervision of a commanding 5–1 triumph over Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup third round on Saturday. Arsenal recovered from an early deficit to defeat Portsmouth 4–1 the next day.
The Blues present an unpredictable element under the former Strasbourg manager at this early stage, and consecutive matches against the league's current leaders pose a significant test for Rosenior.
Here is Sports Illustrated's comprehensive preview of the match.
What Time Does Chelsea vs. Arsenal Kick-Off?
What Time Does Chelsea vs. Arsenal Kick-Off?
Chelsea vs. Arsenal Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Chelsea vs. Arsenal Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Chelsea | Arsenal |
|---|---|
Charlton 1–5 Chelsea - 10/01/26 | Portsmouth 1–4 Arsenal - 11/01/16 |
Fulham 2–1 Chelsea - 07/01/26 | Arsenal 0–0 Liverpool - 08/01/26 |
Man City 1–1 Chelsea - 04/01/26 | Bournemouth 2–3 Arsenal - 03/01/26 |
Chelsea 2–2 Bournemouth - 30/12/25 | Arsenal 4–1 Aston Villa - 30/12/25 |
Chelsea 1–2 Aston Villa - 27/12/25 | Arsenal 2–1 Brighton - 27/12/25 |
How to Watch Chelsea vs. Arsenal on TV
How to Watch Chelsea vs. Arsenal on TV
Country | TV Channel/Live Stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | Sky Go UK, NOW, SKY GO Extra, Sky Ultra HD, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football |
United States | Paramount+ |
Canada | DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada |
Chelsea Team News
Chelsea Team News
New boss Rosenior provided chances to players previously overlooked under the former management, with talents like Facundo Buonanotte, Jamie Gittens and Marc Guiu shining in offensive roles.
Key players should return to the starting eleven for this cup encounter, though Rosenior's preferred strongest lineup remains unclear.
He's presently missing Levi Colwill and Roméo Lavia due to injuries, though Marc Cucurella returns after completing a one-match suspension. Moisés Caicedo, Cole Palmer, Reece James and Malo Gusto are all nursing minor injuries, making their availability questionable for this fixture.
Dário Essugo made an unexpected comeback from injury versus Charlton and may earn another spot on the substitutes' bench.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs. Arsenal
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs. Arsenal
Chelsea predicted lineup vs. Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Sánchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Santos, James; Estêvão, Fernández, Neto; Delap.
Arsenal Team News
Arsenal Team News
Ex-Chelsea player Kai Havertz returned to action for the first time since the season opener last weekend, entering as a substitute in Arsenal's FA Cup victory on the south coast. Nevertheless, the German is unlikely to be match-fit for a midweek start, with underperforming striker Viktor Gyökeres expected to spearhead the attack at Stamford Bridge.
Gabriel Martinelli should keep his position after scoring his first Arsenal hat-trick at the weekend, while the attacking trio will be completed by Bukayo Saka on the right flank.
Riccardo Calafiori, Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapié are expected to remain unavailable in defense, though the Gunners possess sufficient depth to manage these absences.
A complete-strength midfield is anticipated to be fielded by Arteta, featuring Martín Zubimendi playing behind Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs. Chelsea
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs. Chelsea
Arsenal predicted lineup vs. Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Rice, Ødegaard; Saka, Gyökeres, Martinelli.
Chelsea vs. Arsenal Score Prediction
Chelsea vs. Arsenal Score Prediction
Chelsea haven't defeated their London neighbors since the beginning of the 2021–22 season, yet recent encounters at the Bridge have been intensely contested. Enzo Maresca arguably outmaneuvered his counterpart during the two 1–1 stalemates he managed before his exit, leaving Rosenior with substantial expectations to meet.
The new manager faces a considerable challenge in outsmarting Arteta tactically, but this opening leg promises to be a cautious encounter that neither team will want to lose. Therefore, a draw seems likely, setting up an exciting return fixture at the Emirates next month.