Chelsea, Arsenal collide in EFL Cup semi-final
Fresh from emphatic away successes in their opening FA Cup ties, Liam Rosenior‘s Chelsea and Arsenal collide in Wednesday’s EFL Cup semi-final first leg at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues eliminated Cardiff City from the quarter-finals of the competition, while the Gunners needed the lottery of penalties to edge out Crystal Palace in the last eight.
Prior to his unsavoury exit, Enzo Maresca had also masterminded triumphs – albeit unconvincing triumphs – over Lincoln City and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the League Cup, in which Chelsea will play their first home game of the 2025-26 tournament this week.
A sojourn to Wembley has often followed for the Blues when they have reached the final four in recent years, as they have won four of their last five semi-final ties in the EFL Cup – the one exception coming against none other than Arsenal in 2017-18.
The visit of the Gunners will mark Liam Rosenior’s first Chelsea match against a top-flight foe, after his rejigged Blues outfit thumped Charlton Athletic 5-1 in the FA Cup third round over the weekend, ending a five-match winless run in the process.
Both London giants enter the contest with well-rested big-hitters, but it is hard to gauge how much of a difference Rosenior has made after one win vs. lower-league opposition; therefore, it is difficult to back the Blues to gain a first-leg advantage before the return fixture on February 3.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Napoli play host to Parma
After posting back-to-back draws last week, Serie A champions Napoli will target maximum points when they play host to Parma on Wednesday evening.
Having been held at home by Hellas Verona, the Partenopei then denied one of their title rivals – but only victory will do in a midweek clash at Stadio Maradona.
So, sitting behind both Milan clubs in this season’s scrap for Serie A supremacy – with Juventus and Roma still in the fight too – Napoli must make home advantage pay in midweek.
Having lost four of their last five league fixtures at the Maradona, history will not be on Parma’s side; however, they have recently found some form and are slowly pulling away from danger.
While Parma have not posted back-to-back wins in Serie A since 2020, they have recently won three of their last four on the road, offering some hope they can spring a surprise on Wednesday.
Aside from one awful half against Verona, Napoli have made light of their injury woes over the past few weeks, claiming the Supercoppa Italiana and keeping their Scudetto defence alive.
Although Parma are clearly improving – particularly away from home – they will surely come up short in Naples.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
