Prediction: Chelsea vs Derby County

Verdict: Half-Time/Full-Time Chelsea

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: bet365

Chelsea legend Frank Lampard returns to Stamford Bridge with his Derby County side geared up to take another big-name scalp in the EFL Cup this season. The former England international is in for an emotional affair against a red-hot Blues.

Chelsea

Premier League title challengers Chelsea shift their focus to EFL Cup action his week as Blues prepare to welcome the club’s all-time top goalscorer Frank Lampard for the first time as a manager. The Blues will spare no punches, however, as they eye progression into the quarter-final of the competition.

Chelsea beat Liverpool at Anfield earlier in September (2-1) to set up a meeting with Derby County. The Blues clawed their way back from going a goal down against the Reds and secured a late win thanks to goals by Emerson and Eden Hazard. The forthcoming clash against Lamps’ Derby is a great opportunity for Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri to polish his side’s brimming form some more and shuffle his deck a bit amidst a busy schedule. Chelsea are coming off from a romping 4-0 win over Burnley this weekend, which took their unbeaten run to 15 matches straight this season and the Blues have no intention to stop it now. Maurizio Sarri has reshaped Chelsea completely this season and the Blues look a completely different side compared to Antonio Conte’s team last season.

Team News

Eden Hazard picked up a back problem against Manchester United and is likely to miss the Derby game which could open the door for Callum Hudson-Odoi to get another first-team run.

Pedro is suffering from a stomach ache and will once again be replaced by Ruben Loftus-Cheek who struck a hat-trick in Chelsea’s Champions League win over BATE.

Derby County

Having written history during his time at Chelsea as a player, Frank Lampard returns to Stamford Bridge as a rival manager to try and get an important notch in his belt. Derby County progressed to the fourth round of the EFL Cup with a victory over Manchester United last month.

Derby were inches away from securing a sensational win in the regular time but Marouane Fellaini’s injury-time goal sent the game into the nerve-wracking penalty shootout. Lampard’s men emerged victorious after Phil Jones missed his effort and were rewarded with a tie against the club their manager spent full 13 years. Lampard has been doing well in his debut season as a manager with his side currently sitting in sixth place in the Championship, only four points behind leaders Sheffield United. Derby are unbeaten in their last five matches and will be looking to make it six in a row even though they are well aware it will be easier said than done.

Team News

Frank Lampard has been given a valuable selection boost as on-loan Chelsea youngsters Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori have been given special permission to play against their parent club.

Swedish midfielder Marcus Olson is unavailable through a knee injury while Craig Bryson, George Evans and Joe Ledley are all selection doubts.

Key Factors to Consider

• Chelsea are unbeaten in 15 straight matches in all competitions
• Blues won their last five encounters with Derby County
• Frank Lampard spent 13 years at Stamford Bridge
• Derby County are unbeaten in last five matches
• Lamps’ men failed to keep a clean sheet in last 8 games in all competitions

Conclusion

Derby County travel to Stamford Bridge looking to slay another giant, having eliminated Manchester United in the previous round of the competition. Frank Lampard is set for an emotional reunion with his former club but the Blues will pull no punches against their all-time leading top scorer.

Verdict: Half-Time/Full-Time Chelsea

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: bet365