In a highly anticipated EFL Cup Semi-Final Second Leg, Chelsea will be determined to overturn a one-goal deficit as they host Championship side Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night. The first leg at the Riverside Stadium saw Middlesbrough take the lead with Hayden Hackney's 37th-minute strike, giving them the advantage going into this crucial clash.
Chelsea had numerous opportunities in the first leg, firing a total of 18 shots, with Cole Palmer coming close to securing a hat-trick. However, their poor finishing proved costly, leaving them needing a comeback in the second leg. In their most recent match, Chelsea managed to secure a 1-0 victory over Fulham, with Palmer's first-half penalty securing the three points and pushing them to the ninth position in the Premier League table.
Middlesbrough, who finished fourth in the Championship last season, enter this fixture following a 1-1 draw with Rotherham United in the Championship, placing them 11th in the table. They will be eager to build on their previous performance and challenge Chelsea for a spot in the final.
The prediction for the match stands at Chelsea 2-1 Middlesbrough, with the possibility of the match being decided by a penalty shootout in favor of Chelsea. The winner of this thrilling encounter will face either Liverpool or Fulham in the final of the competition.
Expectations are high for Tuesday's second leg, and it is anticipated to be a tense and tightly contested affair. While Middlesbrough possesses the quality to find the back of the net, Chelsea should have the edge to navigate their way into the final, potentially through a penalty shootout. Football enthusiasts can anticipate an exciting showdown as both teams battle it out for a coveted spot in the EFL Cup final.