Carabao Cup final: Predicted Blues XI to face Liverpool

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping that his side’s recent good form can continue when they face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday. 

The two sides met in both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup finals in 2022, with Jurgen Klopp’s side emerging victorious on both occasions after penalty shoot-outs.

Pochettino will be hoping that a recent string of good performances – most recently a 1-1 draw against Manchester City – can inspire his side to victory, though.

Here we predict the XI that Pochettino could select for the game at Wembley.

Goalkeeper

Djordje Petrovic joined the Blues from New England Revolution last summer but had to wait until December to make his debut for the club. Since then, the Serbian has been in fine form and has kept his starting spot despite the recent return of Robert Sanchez from injury.

Defenders

Right-back Malo Gusto has been a revelation in recent weeks and the Frenchman is set to start on Sunday in the absence of captain Reece James. Gusto is still only 20, but has impressed in recent weeks with a string of fine performances.

Gusto is set to start at Wembley on Sunday

In central defence, Pochettino will most likely opt to field Axel Disasi alongside Levi Colwill. The pair were among Chelsea’s most impressive performers at The Etihad last weekend, and the Argentine will be hoping that they can nullify the Reds’ attacking threat. Veteran defender Thiago Silva faces a race to be fit in time for the game but is unlikely to start, while Wesley Fofana remains sidelined.

The likes of Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah will likely be on the bench.

Ben Chilwell will likely start at left-back and captain the side in the absence of James.

Midfielders

Pochettino will likely select Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo in midfield for the game at Wembley. The pair each cost more than £100 million when signed last year and, after enduring difficult starts to their respective Chelsea careers, both players have impressed of late.

Fernandez has impressed in recent weeks

Academy graduate Conor Gallagher is the most likely candidate to complete Chelsea’s midfield. The Englishman has established himself as a regular over the past 18 months, and is a fan favourite among the Stamford Bridge faithful.

The likes of Carney Chukwuemeka and Cesare Casadei will likely be among the substitutes.

Forwards

In attack, Cole Palmer is almost certain to start after enjoying a scintillating start to life in West London. The England international joined from Manchester City last summer and has since scored 12 goals and provided nine assists in 29 games for the Blues.

Palmer has enjoyed a superb start to his Chelsea career

Through the middle, Nicolas Jackson is set to start once again after setting up Raheem Sterling’s goal against City last weekend. The England international is also likely to start having returned to the starting line-up against his former side last time out.

Mykhaylo Mudryk and Noni Madueke will likely be named among the substitutes and could be used from the bench by Pochettino.

Predicted XI: Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, Chilwell; Fernandez, Gallagher, Caicedo; Sterling, Jackson, Palmer.