Chelsea vs Derby County Preview | Latest Team News | Expected Line-Ups | Prediction

Chelsea will be looking to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup when they welcome Frank Lampard’s Derby County to Stamford Bridge this evening.

It’s sure to be an emotional night for the former midfielder – who made 648 appearances for Chelsea during a 13-year career at Stamford Bridge – but Lampard insists he’s relishing the prospect of pitting his wits against the Blues.

Chelsea head in to the game in fine form as they remain undefeated in the Premier League following the 4-0 win over Burnley at Turf Moor on Sunday afternoon and they knocked out Liverpool with a 2-1 victory at Anfield in the previous round of the Carabao Cup.

However, the Blues shouldn’t be taking anything for granted as Lampard has been doing a fine job at Derby with the Rams sixth in the Championship table and they booked their place in the fourth round of the League Cup after beating Manchester United on penalties.

Team news

Chelsea will be without Eden Hazard as the Belgian international isn’t expected to be risked due to a back injury that’s kept him out of the last two matches while Pedro is a doubt due to a stomach problem.

Olivier Giroud faces a late test due to muscle fatigue so he might not be risked ahead of the Crystal Palace game at the weekend but Ethan Ampadu is back in full training following a knee injury.

Maurizio Sarri is expected to make plenty of changes with the likes of Willy Caballero, Davide Zappacosta, Gary Cahill, Andreas Christensen, Emerson, Cesc Fabregas, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Victor Moses all set for recalls.

Derby have been granted permission by Chelsea to use on-loan duo Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori – although Mount is a doubt due to a knock that he picked up against Middlesborough.

Lampard will have to make-do without Craig Bryson, George Evans, Joe Ledley and Marcus Olsson due to injury.

Expected Line-ups

Derby XI: Carson; Bogle, Keogh, Tomori, Forsyth; Huddlestone, Johnson; Bennett, Mount, Wilson; Marriott

Predicted Score

Chelsea 2-0 Derby: The Blues have an excellent record in the League Cup having progressed past non-league opponents in 18 of their last 19 attempts and Chelsea have beaten Derby in each of their last eight home matches. No doubt Lampard will be desperate to get a positive result against his former side but I think Chelsea will have too much quality for the Championship hopefuls.