EFL Cup Semi-final: Which Teams Will Win the First Leg?

“Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.”

This saying applies directly to the remaining teams involved in the EFL Cup, especially the Premier Leaguers.

It’s that time of the year when they have to play so many games in so little time. There’s the PL games then the FA Cup games and now the EFL Cup games.

It may yet be the semi-final of the EFL Cup. As the four teams involved prepare for their games, one thing is certain: squad rotation. There’s too many games for these sides to field the same players repeatedly.

The second leg (sandwiched in between PL games and Cup games) will be played in two weeks’ time. However, which of these teams will take a first leg advantage into these second leg games?

1. Tottenham vs. Chelsea

It’s the third time (in a row) that a Tottenham game will be a London derby.

In the fourth round, Tottenham played West Ham and defeated the Hammers 3-1. In the quarter-finals, it was Tottenham versus Arsenal. The game ended 2-0 in favor of Spurs. And now, they take on the Blues.

Maurizio Sarri will be looking to at least land his first silverware of his reign. But Chelsea’s away record against Tottenham is a worrying one. The Blues have only defeated Spurs once in their last 6 meetings away from Stamford Bridge.

But the Blues can take solace in the fact they’re the first side to defeat Liverpool this season. Since that game, one of their two other games has also ended with over 2,5 goals.

2. Manchester City vs. Burton

After becoming the first side to put two past Liverpool in the PL this season, they Citizens were rampant in their FA Cup Round of 32 clash. With 6 different scorers, Guardiola’s men trounced Rotherham 7-0. Since their loss against Leicester, they have now scored 12 goals in the last 3 games.

League One side, Burton Albion, may be intimidated by these stats. But this is a cup game. Their 1-0 defeat of Championship side Middlesbrough in the quarter-finals will be a confidence booster for this game.

Defeating Manchester City may seem hard, but it’s not impossible. It’s the first time both sides will be meeting. And it’s a chance for either side to make their own history.

With a second leg in sight, the semi-final will be a two-way thing. The home teams will want to make the most of their home advantage. Teams playing away from home will be all about damage limitation.

So how will it all play out at the end? Which teams do you think will win their first leg games?

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