The English season starts with a game that sees the winner get a trophy, although the Community Shield always feels like an exhibition game more than anything else. As far as “real” trophies go, the EFL Cup Final is the first chance for a team to get their hands on some meaningful silverware. This is a bit of a strange tournament in that is one where the top Premier League teams regularly play young or bench players in the earlier rounds, which is why we so often see upsets early on.
That said, as the tournament progresses, the bigger teams start to play their top guys when it becomes clear that some silverware could be in the future. This Sunday, it will be Chelsea and Manchester City who will be going head to head to get their hands on that trophy. These are a pair of teams heading in very different directions right now, but the form book very often goes out the window in a one-off cup final game. City is in as a 1-goal favorite for the EFL Cup Final, with the O/U set at 2 ½.
Chelsea vs Manchester City Odds & Pick for 2019 EFL Cup Final
We’ve beaten all in our path on the way to the #ContiCup Final on Saturday!
One more push needed for glory! 🏆 🔵 #mancity pic.twitter.com/nLKchiCcy5 — Manchester City (@ManCity) 22 de febrero de 2019
- When: Sunday, February 24 at 11:30 AM EST
- Where: Wembley Stadium, London
- TV: ESPN+
- Live Stream: WatchESPN
- EFL Cup Final Odds: Manchester City -194 (Total 2.5)
Why bet on Chelsea?
Over the course of the past decade, Chelsea has had some real success, but they also have an owner who will fire managers at the drop of a hat, regardless of the trophies they have delivered. New manager, Mauricio Sarri is barely 6 months into his time in charge of Chelsea and is already rumored to be on the way out after a disastrous run of form that includes a 6-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City just a few short weeks ago.
Chelsea was knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United earlier this week, with the feeling being that a loss here could be the end for Sarri. Chelsea had a tough road to get here, beating Liverpool, Derby, Bournemouth, and Tottenham along the way.
Expected Line-up
- 1-Kepa
- 30-David Luiz
- 28-Azpilicueta
- 3-Marcos Alonso
- 27-Andreas Christensen
- 8-R. Barkley
- 5-Jorginho
- 7-N. Kanté
- 9-G. Higuaín
- 22-Willian
- 10-E. Hazard
Why bet on Manchester City?
You could argue that Manchester City has not been as dominant this year as they were last season, but the bar that they set for themselves was one that was always going to be tough to match. They do have some silverware already, beating Chelsea 2-0 to win the Community Shield at the start of the season, and are still involved in every competition that they are a part of.
Manchester City had a bit of an easier path to the final, taking out Oxford, Fulham, Leicester, and Burton Albion, winning that two-leg semi-final by an aggregate score of 10-0. While City played a lot of bench guys along the way, expect them to be at full strength for this one, with Sergio Aguero once again the man to keep an eye on.
Expected Line-up
- 31-Ederson Moraes
- 30-N. Otamendi
- 2-K. Walker
- 14-A. Laporte
- 5-J. Stones
- 21-David Silva
- 25-Fernandinho
- 8-İ. Gündoğan
- 20-Bernardo Silva
- 10-S. Agüero
- 19-L. Sané
Match Facts for Chelsea vs Manchester City
- Chelsea have already lost three times at Wembley this season
- Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus has scored more goals than any other player in this season’s League Cup (5)
- Sergio Aguero has scored 13 goals in 16 appearances in all competitions against Chelsea for Manchester City
- Since the start of the 2012-13 season, no player has been involved in more League Cup goals for a Premier League side than Chelsea’s Eden Hazard (14 – 8 goals, 6 assists)
Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction
If you watched Chelsea lose to Manchester United earlier this week, you will have seen a team that did not look like much of an attacking threat going forward. I think they are in real trouble here, which is why I like City to comfortably win and cover the spread.
Score: Chelsea 0 – Manchester City 3
