Chelsea and Liverpool face off this Sunday for the chance to win the first major silverware of the English season at Wembley.
Thomas Tuchel's men will fancy their chances at England's national stadium, as the Blues come into the fixture off the back of a six-game winning run across all competitions, including continental success in the form of winning the Club World Cup.
Liverpool enter the fray in confident spirits, too, after a whopping 6-0 win over Leeds United in midweek. Jurgen Klopp will believe his high-octane style of play can bring the cup home to Anfield come full-time on Sunday. His side are currently the top scorers in the Premier League this campaign with 70 goals.
Two of the best three teams in the country collide, and cup glory is on the line, promising a passionate and entertaining affair in the English capital.
MORE: What is the Carabao Cup?
How to watch Chelsea vs. Liverpool
- Date: Sunday, Feb. 25
- Time: 11.30 a.m. ET
- USA streaming: ESPN+
- Canadian streaming: DAZN
This Sunday's game at Wembley will be broadcast across the USA live on ESPN+, alongside DAZN in Canada.
Chelsea vs. Liverpool lineups
Chelsea midfielder Hakim Ziyech is out injured, following his withdrawal from the Blues' midweek Champions League win over Lille with an Achilles problem. Mateo Kovacic was also forced off in the win over the current French champions with a muscular injury, but he earned the start. Center back Andreas Christensen picked up a knock in training leading up to the game and sat out.
Mason Mount returned to the bench for the Lille victory and gets the nod from Thomas Tuchel to start.
Reece James is part of the squad after making a return to full contact training, whilst Ben Chilwell will miss out due to injury. German coach Tuchel's big selection decision was starting Kai Havertz over Romelu Lukaku in attack.
Chelsea starting lineup (3-4-3): 16-Mendy — 14-Chalobah, 6-Silva, 2-Rudiger — 28-Azpilicueta, 8-Kovacic, 7-Kante, 3-Alonso — 10-Pulisic, 29-Havertz, 19-Mount
Chelsea subs (9): 1-Arrizabalaga (GK), 24-James, 31-Sarr, 5-Jorginho, 12-Loftus-Cheek, 17-Saul, 20-Hudson-Odoi, 9-Lukaku, 11-Werner
As for Liverpool, Roberto Firmino will not be available for selection this weekend. On the other hand, Diogo Jota is well enough to be on the bench after sustaining an injury away to Inter Milan in the Champions League.
Jota settles for a place on the bench, leaving January signing Luis Diaz alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in the attack. Jordan Henderson slots into the midfield, while Caoimhin Kelleher starts between the sticks after the news was confirmed by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp in a press conference. Thiago Alcantara picked up an injury in warmups ahead of the final and Naby Keita replaced him.
Liverpool lineup (4-3-3): 62-Kelleher — 66-Alexander-Arnold, 32-Matip, 4-Van Dijk, 26-Robertson — 14-Henderson, 3-Fabinho, 8-Keita — 11-Salah, 10-Mane, 23-Diaz.
Liverpool subs (9): 1-Alisson, 5-Konate, 21-Tsimikas, 7-Milner, 67-Elliott, 15-Oxlade-Chamberlain, 18-Minamino, 20-Jota, 27-Origi
MORE: UEFA move Champions League final to Paris
Chelsea vs. Liverpool betting odds, pick & prediction
Odds courtesy of DraftKings
Goals could be aplenty in this match, with Chelsea and Liverpool both carrying match-winners in their side. Mohamed Salah will be a name that strikes fear into Chelsea supporters ahead of Sunday, with the Egyptian forward bagging an incredible 27 goals in 31 games already this season.
MORE: Everything you need to know about Salah's contract situation
Sadio Mane is always causing danger inside the penalty area, whilst his speed and contribution to the Reds' incredible ability to counter-attack puts him among the favorites to get on the scoresheet at Wembley.
Conversely, Chelsea forward Kai Havertz has proven to be a big-game player for the Stamford Bridge club, as shown with his Champions League and Club World Cup final goals for the Londoners. The German talent will be eager to be the decisive factor once again on the elite stage.
USA international Christian Pulisic has impressed in recent times for Chelsea, scoring in the 2-0 win over Lille in the Champions League Round of 16. The wide man could be an excellent outside bet to open the scoring on Sunday.
Pick: Christian Pulisic to be first goalscorer (+850)
- Moneyline: Chelsea (+250) / Draw (+235) / Liverpool (+125)
- Spread: Chelsea +0.5 (-135) / Liverpool -0.5 (+120)
- O/U 2.5 total goals: Over (+105) / Under (-125)
- Both Teams To Score: Yes (-135) / No (+105)