Chelsea v AFC Bournemouth: Cherries’ chance at semi-finals spot

Mauro Sarri’s Chelsea welcome Eddie Howe’s AFC Bournemouth to Stamford Bridge off a rather unconvincing 2-1 victory over Brighton on Sunday with both their sights set on a semi-final place in the next round of the EFL Cup.

The visitors come into this off a 2-0 defeat at Wolves on Saturday whilst lying in a comfortable 11th place. Had they won on Saturday, they could’ve gone into 6th place.

The two sides have been at this stage before and in fact 12 months ago when the Blues saw off the Cherries 2-1 with a Morata winner helping Antonio Conte’s side from having to go through extra-time.

Alvaro Morata is likely to not feature for the hosts as is the case with Eden Hazard who has only missed one league game so far this season. Both Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Cesc Fabregas could return to the home squad tonight.

Simon Francis, Callum Wilson and Tyrone Mings are all doubts for the game tonight whilst Lewis Cook, Adam Smith and Dan Gosling definitely won’t feature either tonight.

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