EFL Cup matches were played locally. These were fairly even and an end-to-end game. Arsenal and Chelsea, both won their matches.
Arsenal smashed Brighton 2-0 in a very straightforward manner. Chelsea managed pressure and won 4-3 against Wolves in a tight match.
Chelsea vs Cardiff
Chelsea will face Cardiff in the quarter final.
The Blues sealed the spot in the last-eight. They won 4-3 on the road at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Cardiff City has reached the quarter final. They are not a first division team.
They defeated Wrexham by 2-1 to reach the quarter final.
Chelsea have managed to get a comfortable draw. Cardiff is a lower division side and Chelsea will target nothing less than a win. Cardiff could be a dark horse. But Chelsea have their momentum and self-belief.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said that his players got relaxed too much after they took the lead to 3-0. “We lost control of the game before the break… then we panicked a little bit,” he said.
This is a great opportunity for Cardiff. They are hosting a big club, they might be able to do it. It is going to be fantastic in their home stadium.
They have planned this match for 15th December.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
Anyway, Crystal Palace are going to Arsenal.
Arsenal will be coming in this fixture being confident. They are currently on top of the table. The Gunners have a strong defensive record this season. On the other hand, Crystal Palace are also in a good form. They have given competition to strong teams. Recently, they have took Liverpool out from FA Cup by 3-0.
The Palace side think that it should be rescheduled as if they stay on 16 December. This way they will have to play three games in five days. Which means they would be more comfortable if the match was moved to 23 December. Even the Christmas Eve would be better. Arsenal are completely against any such postponement. They are calling it dishonest.
“I don’t think that is fair… on balance, we have to try and fit it in the best possible way for everyone,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
Although the match is on 16th December. The date may be changed subjected to circumstances.
There are some really good storylines here. Both teams know each other well from the previous London derbies. Arsenal will try to win the cup this season after winning it in 1993. after Crystal Palace will be going all out. As they see it as their only chance to go far in a major cup.
What to watch
Rotation and squad depth:
Chelsea and Arsenal both have deep squads. How many changes will they make? The cup is normally the place where the weaker players get game time.
Drive:
This is an important day for Cardiff. The fans will be the wind beneath their wings. Crystal Palace will be eager to take the game to the away ground. So, they can get the better of a big team.
Home advantage:
Cardiff will be playing in front of their own fans. Arsenal will be eager to take control right from the very first minute as they are playing at home.
It is the trap which, as they go to Cardiff, Chelsea must avoid. Indeed, their 4-3 victory over Wolves showed that they are capable of making mistakes.
Author’s Insight
On paper, the fixture between Arsenal and Crystal Palace can be difficult. This is because of the rivalry and the resulting pressure. Anyways, both games will be played with great excitement.
If I were to decide Chelsea should be able to go through with no problem. On the other hand, the opposite side comes from the lower tiers. In the case of Arsenal-Palace, Arsenal will potentially win this. If I were to assume that they would manage their squad and schedule correctly. But then, football has upsets.
