Chelsea vs Arsenal: Predicted lineups today and Carabao Cup team news

Saliba is an injury doubt for tonight’s clash at Stamford Bridge (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea hope to have Cole Palmer and Reece James fit and available for the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final showdown with Arsenal tonight.

The duo, along with Malo Gusto , missed Saturday’s comfortable 5-1 win over Charlton in their FA Cup third round clash, rested after emerging from last week’s defeat to Fulham with minor knocks.

It is likely Palmer and James would have been rested regardless at the Valley but for the visit of the Premier League leaders, Liam Rosenior will surely call upon the big guns.

Tonight’s game will provide the first real indication of what the new head coach’s first choice starting XI looks like and who will be his preferred option up top; Joao Pedro or Liam Delap.

Neither man caused too many problems for the Arsenal backline when the two sides fought out a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in November.

Moises Caicedo, sent off in that game, will serve his third suspension of the season tonight, opening the door for Andrey Santos to start alongside Enzo Fernandez once again.

James however is also an option, thriving in that role through the middle in the league meeting two months ago.

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James could replace the suspended Caicedo (Picture: Getty)

Marc Cucurella is back from a suspension of his own, sitting out of the 5-1 win over Charlton after he saw red at Craven Cottage.

Arsenal have some fresh injury concerns of their own with both William Saliba and Leandro Trossard injury doubts.

Mikel Arteta confirmed those potential blows on Tuesday with Riccardo Calafiori still not ready to return having missed the Gunners’ last five games.

Piero Hincapie has also joined the injury list, meaning Arteta is left with the sole option of Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back.

Cristhian Mosquera is still working his way back after a recent ankle injury.

James or Santos to join Enzo Fernandez in midfield looks to be Rosenior’s biggest dilemma in the middle of the park.

Pedro Neto and Joao Pedro were among those given the evening off against Charlton so could be drafted in tonight.

Trossard’s potential absence could allow Gabriel Martinelli to start again tonight having bagged three against Portsmouth at the weekend.

With Kai Havertz also making his return off the bench that day, might Arteta be tempted to start him? The German, Gabriel Jesus and Mikel Merino all offer viable alternatives to Viktor Gyokeres. But given his lengthy layoff, Arteta may be wary of throwing Havertz in against his former side.

With Saliba’s involvement uncertain, Jurrien Timber could be shifted inside again.