The first leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal between Middlesbrough and Chelsea kicks off Tuesday as both sides eye a spot in the final at Wembley.
Boro are the final lower league side remaining in the competition, with Premier League clubs Liverpool and Fulham set to clash for the other spot in the title match. While they sit 12th in the Championship, four points off the crowded playoff push, Boro will likely prioritise this chance for glory so close to the trophy.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have finally begun to show signs of improvement under Mauricio Pochettino, but they remain vulnerable to defensive lapses, something Middlesbrough will be keen to capitalise on.
A lower-league team has never won the EFL Cup, and none has made the final since League Two side Bradford City's sensational run to Wembley in 2013.
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Chelsea will have a tougher time with Middlesbrough, a talented and well-coached team, than they did with Preston North End in their weekend FA Cup match, but should still progress to the second leg with a slight advantage.
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Middlesbrough have been let down by poor goalkeeping at multiple points this season, as Thomas Glover has struggled, sporting a -4.3 goals/xG differential, in the bottom third of the Championship. Yet even such, Boro have been unlucky to concede 39 goals this year, as opponents have struck for 7.8 more goals than the club's xG allowed.
Chelsea are starting to turn the screw in the attacking third in recent weeks, underlying their ability to finally grasp Mauricio Pochettino's style and tactical approach, but they still struggle to finish chances on the whole.
Middlesbrough held
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