Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction

Chelsea host Tottenham Hotspur for the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals on Wednesday evening.

A second half blitz, spurred on by the introduction of N'Golo Kante at half-time, helped Chelsea ease to a 3-0 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when the clubs met earlier this season in September. But a lot has changed on both sides of the divide in the intervening three months.

Here's all you need to know about the upcoming cup clash.

How to watch Chelsea vs Tottenham on TV/live stream

When is kick off? Wednesday 5 January, 19:45 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Stamford Bridge
TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports Main Event (UK), ESPN+ (US), DAZN (Canada)
Highlights? Sky Sports Football YouTube
Referee? Craig Pawson
VAR? Jarred Gillett

Chelsea team news

Chelsea have many an absentee due to injury and COVID but they will lose their goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to international duty as he joins up with Senegal for the imminent Africa Cup of Nations.

Thiago Silva returned from a tight hamstring against Liverpool on the weekend, but whether he is risked for another outing in the space of three days remains to be seen. Fellow centre back Andreas Christensen is struggling with a recurring back complaint, while Reece James won't be rushed back from his muscle injury.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (ankle) remains a doubt as does Timo Werner, who has tested negative for COVID-19 but is still struggling with the aftereffects. Ben Chilwell has all but been ruled out for the remainder of the season after undergoing knee surgery.

Romelu Lukaku was dropped for the visit of title-chasing Liverpool on Sunday after a sharp-tongued interview but Thomas Tuchel will meet with the disciplined player on Monday to decide his immediate future.

You can read Chelsea's predicted lineup here.

Tottenham team news

Tottenham come into the tie with a significantly lighter injury list. Steven Bergwijn's only start under Antonio Conte was in the previous round of the League Cup. However, the Dutch international won't be able to add to his goal and assist in midweek as he sits out with a calf problem.

Ryan Sessegnon's involvement is doubtful as he recovers from a muscular concern although Cristian Romero is nearing a return after two months out.

You can read Tottenham's predicted lineup here.

Chelsea vs Tottenham head-to-head record

One of the most fractious and unforgiving London rivalries has been duked out 170 times across all competitions - including 11 outings in the League Cup alone.

Chelsea enjoy the superior record overall (74 wins to Tottenham's 55) and have lost just one of the previous eight matches against Spurs - though that defeat did come via a penalty shootout in last season's iteration of England's secondary cup competition.

Spurs have won just one of their last 16 visits to Stamford Bridge (D5 L10).

Chelsea vs Tottenham score prediction

Despite suggestions of wavering or teething problems, Chelsea and Spurs have just one domestic defeat between them since the start of November.

The Blues produced one of their brightest performances for months by hauling Liverpool level after a two-goal deficit on Sunday. Spurs needed injury time to squeeze past considerably less impressive opposition in the form of Watford but have undoubtedly shown a healthy uptick since Conte's return to the capital.

For a reverse of a contest that finished so comfortably in Chelsea's favour a few months ago, the midweek meeting is delicately poised.

Prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Tottenham