Chelsea vs Barnsley Predictions

• Barnley have started the new Championship campaign with two defeats from two
• Chelsea have conceded in eight of their last 10 Carabao Cup home ties
• Ross Barkley scored four goals in six cup appearances for Chelsea last term

Chelsea may have been given a rude awakening by Liverpool on Sunday but the Blues should have a slightly easier time of things against Barnsley. Frank Lampard is expected to utilise his deep squad in this clash, offering chances to some players who need to make an impression.

The Blues face a Barnsley side who have lost both of their Championship games so far, but the Tykes have won their two Carabao Cup ties against Championship opposition. The visitors play an aggressive pressing game and could pressure a Chelsea defence which will feature four players who didn’t make it into the team for their loss to Liverpool.

The Blues have managed just two clean sheets across their last 10 home Carabao Cup ties, so we see them conceding in what should still be a victory for the Premier League side. The options Lampard is calling upon going forward should deal with Barnsley.

Of the Blues’ second string one man to watch is Ross Barkley. He’s a forgotten man after the high-profile Stamford Bridge incomings, the emergence of the young English talents and the improvement of Mateo Kovacic. However, Barkley was an able deputy in cup clashes last term, scoring in their third-round win in this competition against Grimsby. Barkley hit three goals as Chelsea made the FA Cup final, so he’s a good anytime scorer option here.

With Barkely supporting an attacking trio including Tammy Abraham and Callum Hudson-Odoi, we expect the Blues to win this one. However, their defensive record in this competition offers a little hope for the Tykes. As a result we’re going with Chelsea to win and both teams to score as our first prediction, while we’re backing the Blues to win this one 3-1.