Chelsea vs. City predictions: No room for self-delusion at Carabao Cup final

Chelsea fans’ optimism for the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City make a direct correlation to expectations about Maurizio Sarri’s job security. The predictions speak for themselves.

Is it all over but the crying? Probably. Our writers, for their part, have at least braced themselves so their tears will be those of resigned acceptance rather than shock. Unless somehow Chelsea really do get Burton Albion’d.

Abhishek Pancholi: Chelsea 0 – 4 Manchester City. Maurizio Sarri has never won a trinket in his decades of management and that agonizing wait for his first trophy will continue. I’ve said this a few times already, but Sarri’s philosophy can be summed up in a single sentence: When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. He will persist with the same tired tactics that got him humiliated in Manchester a few weeks ago and it will produce the same outcome.

In case you’re unable to catch the game, just go home later and watch the first four goals City scored the last time these sides met. Then turn off your TV, pour yourself a large glass of the strongest liquor available and drink yourself to sleep.

Gabe Henderson: 1 – 4. Tomorrow is the day, the day Maurizio Sarri gets sacked in the tunnel following another embarrassing loss. It’ll be 4-0 until late when Callum Hudson-Odoi comes on in the 85’ and sparks a late consolation goal. I would like to be the first to welcome our new caretaker manager, Steve Holland.

Hugo Amaya: 0 – 4. Another humiliating defeat for Sarri and possibly his final match in charge of Chelsea. Simply because the team defeated Malmo during the week, Sarri is going to feel hopeful that his same-old, same-old tactics, formation and instructions work this time against City. But, like last time, they will not. Sarri won’t win his first trophy and, as result, the club will be forced to pull the plug on the Italian.

In terms of team performance, there won’t be any surprises. Many mistakes from everyone in the back, lack of fluidity in the midfield and no threat whatsoever in the attack. In summation, another Sarriball performance.

Kevin Peacock: 2 – 0. Maurizio Sarri might well be stubborn, but he’s surely not stupid. Chelsea lost 6-0 to City up at the Etihad a couple of weeks ago, so naturally, they are strong favourites for this game. However, those predicting a rout have short memories. They forget that Chelsea were on top in that game for the first 90 seconds. They also beat City 2-0 earlier in the season.

The players that have failed to take up the challenge to understand a new system know they owe the manager and fans a decent performance. The manager is desperate to call himself a winner. Chelsea Football Club are serial winners. City will, of course, be complacent. They don’t need this win as much as Chelsea. I can only see Chelsea winning on goals from Eden Hazard and Big Hig.

Rupert Meadows: 1 – 2. Chelsea will play better than they did last time these two came head to head (they could hardly do worse) but it ultimately won’t be enough to beat a City team going from strength to strength. Chelsea will be unable to stop City from creating chances from wide and the scoreline, if it stays at 2-1 to City, will most likely flatter the Blues.

Scott Brant: 3 – 2. Yes, I know Manchester City are the better team. Yes, I know Sarri-ball is ineffective and boring. But this is Chelsea, every single time I swear I have them figured out, they prove me wrong. I predict Chelsea get lucky, and I’m not afraid to say I’m being hopeful.

Here’s to City repeating a bit of shakiness today as they did against Schalke midweek. Even if the Blues lose, I’m not sure they sack Sarri until he loses to Tottenham. Hazard and Gonzalo Higuain will have to have an impressive day along with that Chelsea back line.