Time for a bit of Carabao diversion, as we take on Southampton and look to advance beyond the fourth round for the first time in three seasons. Last year, we lost at home to Manchester United while the year before we lost on penalties to Spurs. While we certainly don’t need more fixtures added to the calendar, it’s also good to simply just keep winning.

There’s no VAR, no replays, and no extra-time in the League Cup at this stage. If the scores are level after 90 minutes, we go to penalties. We can however make five substitutions now, which is nice.

As expected, both sides have rotated notably. Chelsea’s lineup could be a whole variety of things. I’m going by the official tweet, until we see it in action (UPDATE: turns out it’s more of a 3-4-3). Harvey Vale (midfielder) and Teddy Sharman-Lowe (a second goalkeeper) from the Academy are on the bench, though we still only named eight substitutes of an allowed nine. No Loftus-Cheek in the squad, which probably has a reasonable explanation.

UPDATE: Loftus-Cheek, Azpilicueta, Christensen apparently all dealing with various minor injuries and ailments. Kanté’s muscles not risked.

Here we go!

Chelsea starting lineup (3-4-3):
Arrizabalaga | Sarr, Chalobah, James | Alonso (c), Saúl, Kovacic, Hudson-Odoi | Barkley, Havertz, Ziyech

Substitutes from: Bettinelli, Sharman-Lowe, Chilwell, Rüdiger, Silva, Jorginho, Mount, Vale

Southampton starting lineup (3-4-3):
Forster | Salisu, Lyanco, Valery | Djenepo, S.Armstrong (c), Diallo, Walker-Peters | A.Armstrong, Adams, Tella

Substitutes from: Lewis, Livramento, Bednarek, Perraud, Romeu, Smallbone, Redmond, Walcott, Long

Date / Time: Tuesday, October 26, 2021, 19.45 BST; 2:45pm EDT; 12:15am IST (next day)
Venue: Stamford Bridge, SW6
Referee: Kevin Friend (no VAR until the semifinals and final in this competition)

On TV: none (UK); none (USA); none? (India); SuperSport MaXimo 1 (NGA); elsewhere
Streaming: none (UK); ESPN+ (USA); Voot (India); DStv Now (NGA)

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Be excellent to each other, and party on, dudes!