Chelsea welcome League Two’s Barrow for the third round of the EFL Cup with the chance for both sides to progress through to the last 16 teams. These two sides are also fresh off the back of league victories last time out.
Barrow have nothing to lose heading into this tie, and are in a very good place when it comes to squad morale. However, the talent and squad depth Chelsea possess will most likely be the difference maker for this tie.
Possible Line-up: Robert Sánchez; Marc Cucurella, Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana; Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo; Jadon Sancho, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke; Nicolas Jackson.
Enzo Maresca faced a difficult start to the league season when his side lost to champions Manchester City. Since that game though, the Blues are unbeaten in the league, with one draw and three victories.
After another summer of plenty of incomings, Chelsea’s start players so far have been Cole Palmer (with two goals and four assists), Noni Madueke (with four goals in all competitions), Nicolas Jackson (with four goals and two assists), amongst many others. Enzo Maresca seems to have the team playing to their strengths. Whilst they might seem a long way off the Premier League, progressing in this competition is doable.
Predicted Line-up: Paul Farman; Ben Jackson, Chris Stokes, Theo Vassell, Rory Feely; Sam Foley, Dean Campbell; Elliot Newby, Kian Spence, Katia Kouyaté; Gerard Garner.
Barrow have been excellent this season. They have just one defeat in the league (1-0 away to Carlisle) alongside one draw and five victories. Stephen Clemence has got them sitting at the top of the League Two table after seven games. There is certainly a long way to go, but it’s been the strongest start out of anyone else in the 4th tier.
They’ve kept five clean sheets already, and it took them four games to even concede a goal. Theo Vassell at the back has been a big part of their defensive success, and is their top scorer so far with three goals.
A victory in this game would be an historic result for the home side, but if any League Two team could do it, it would be Barrow right now. In the last two rounds to get here, Barrow knocked out Port Vale and Derby County.
Remarkably, these two teams have only ever played each other once in their entire history. In January of 1948, Chelsea defeated Barrow 5-0 at home in the FA Cup. Chelsea went on to lose in the fourth round that year to Manchester City.
We’re backing Chelsea to win, both teams to score and over 2.5 goals in the match.
Whilst Chelsea are by far the superior side, Barrow have been very good so far this campaign. They’ve converted the third most goals this season and as we’ve said, if anyone from the 4th tier is going to challenge a side like Chelsea, it will be Barrow.
However, a goals fest is sure to happen, and Chelsea will find the back of the net multiple times with the talent they have available.
Through our bookmakers, you can get odds of 2/1 which would return £30 from a £10 stake.
Chelsea 4-1 Barrow
Aside from our betting tip, we’re expecting a scoreline of 4-1 to Chelsea for this fixture. No matter the result though, fair play to Barrow for making it this far.
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