Preview
On January 14, Premier League leaders Arsenal will clash with Chelsea in the EFL Cup semifinal first leg. Arsenal recently achieved a notable 4-1 victory over Portsmouth in the FA Cup, while Chelsea faced a 2-1 defeat to Fulham in EPL; however, they bounced back with a 5-1 win over Charlton in their FA Cup match on January 10. The previous encounter between these two teams ended in a 1-1 draw.
Kickoff at Stamford Bridge is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET, with the match available for viewing on Paramount+. Arsenal heads into the match as (+120) favorites with Chelsea as slight underdogs at (+215), while a draw is priced at (+230).
Jon Eimer’s Betting Picks
- First half draw (+120): 0.5u
- Full-time draw (+250): 0.5u
- Exact score 1-1 (+550): 0.5u
Important Match Information
This is the first leg of the EFL Cup semifinals, and both teams will face each other once again next month. The winner is determined by the total goal differential across both legs, indicating that even if Arsenal does not secure a win in this match, they still have a chance to progress.
Historical Context
Chelsea’s recent home matches against Arsenal have been closely contested, often resulting in tight scorelines. This matchup also marks Chelsea’s first home game under new manager Liam Rosenior, adding excitement and pressure to the fixture.
