Chelsea score predictions vs. Barnsley: Advancing across the board

Chelsea kicks off its Carabao Cup campaign against Barnsley, here is how The Pride of London staff thinks the match will play out.

Chelsea takes on Barnsley for the first time since the Blues were knocked out of the FA Cup by their lower league foes in 2008. That 1-0 loss—and Barnsley’s close match with Newcastle recently—make the storyline even more interesting. As far as third round ties go, this is one of the toughest the Blues could get in playing a Championship side. Here is how The Pride of London staff sees the match going:

Mike Malley: 3-0 Chelsea

Even though it’s only the EFL Cup, Lampard shouldn’t be messing around. After an unconvincing win over Brighton and a humiliating defeat at the hands of Liverpool, people are starting to question if Chelsea’s money was well spent. The Blues need to send a message. Lamps should play whichever stars are healthy and beat Barnsley by as many goals as possible. If Chelsea really wants to be taken seriously as title contenders, it needs to show how dominant it can truly be.

Barrett Rouen: 5-0 Chelsea

We smack them. All the kids will play, as well as Antonio Rudiger. Everyone gets a run out and they show their anger at Lampard’s insane recent line-up choices. In doing so, they make it hard for him to continue to make such crazy decisions and Chelsea improves. Tammy Abraham to score twice.

Nate Hofmann: 2-0 Chelsea

Until we see Frank Lampard’s line-up, it will be impossible to know exactly how Chelsea will approach the match, but one thing is certain: Barnsley just isn’t very good. The Tykes barely escaped relegation back into League One after being promoted the season before, and they aren’t exactly off to a flyer this time around. With the need for rotation and the new challenge of breaking down a packed defense, it will be a disjointed and potentially unattractive performance, but the gap in quality should win the day if all else fails.

Abhishek Pancholi: 4-0 Chelsea

A relatively easy fixture after the Liverpool game should allow Abraham to stretch those long legs of his. Fan favorite—until he’s not—Callum Hudson-Odoi should also start, instantly improving the acceptability rating of Lampard’s line-up, even though he still clearly “hates Christian Pulisic.”

Olaoluwa Nwobodo: 3-0 Chelsea

It will be a comfortable win. The Chelsea players will dominate from start to finish, someone out of the bunch will play out of their skin to market their services to other clubs, others will do it to give Lampard a selection headache. Barnsley will fancy the idea of an upset, but the idea will be shut down with two early goals and complete domination. The Blues will be looking to win this particular competition because the last time they reached the final, they didn’t win it. It’s a trophy and it would be good for Lampard to begin his trophy count.

Wilfred Laurence: 2-1 Chelsea

Considering the start to the season, and the speed at which the fixtures are coming, I’m not expecting fireworks. I am expecting a win though. A couple of goals to come from Hudson-Odoi (in his first start … right?) and Abraham, with *closes eyes, points randomly at Barnsley’s last XI, but not before noticing it too lost 2-0 with 10—wait 9(!)—men at the weekend*  Marcel Ritzmaier getting the consolation for the Tykes.

Varun Dani: 4-0 Chelsea

Hudson-Odoi, Abraham and Ruben Loftus-Cheek get some game time to earn a starting place against West Brom, while Thiago Silva is handed a debut. After the Liverpool disappointment, the Blues will be extremely motivated to prove a point and will do so magnificently. But after the game, Roman Abramovich will sack Lampard after a few keyboard pundits tweet #LampardOut.

Scott Brant: 3-0 Chelsea

I really want to go big with a 4-0 or 5-0 win, but I am unsure of who will start and just how bad we want to demolish Barnsley. I would assume an “easy” match like this would see a lot of turn over in the line-up, especially since the fixture list from here to Christmas is jammed pack. It would be the perfect gamble in hopes of resting a large number of players without risking a loss. Olivier Giroud to score, and Barkley to net one as well. Look for a youth member to get a late goal, always nice to see.

Kevin Peacock: 4-0 Chelsea

Chelsea is still effectively in pre-season and as such this game gives Lampard the opportunity to try new players and formations. With the Liverpool game gone and forgotten, the time now is to think ahead. It’s likely Silva and Ben Chilwell will make a first appearances, add in those that think they should have already had more game time will be starting and Chelsea will cruise to a comfortable 4-0 win. Oli G and Tambraham all over the score sheet.

Oliver Smith: 5-1 Chelsea

Poor Barnsley will face the wrath of a Chelsea team that while, not possessing a killer instinct quite yet, has just enough of one to crush a team of Barnsley’s level. Abraham should play and score two, Barkley will have a stormer of a game and everyone will wonder how he cannot do that regularly. Loftus-Cheek will use this game to get a full 90 under his belt and start running at defences again. Caballero will produce a vintage ‘nothing special’ performance and Hudson-Odoi will be okay, much like every other appearance he has made under Lampard.

Matt Hancock-Bruce: 2-0 Chelsea

Not the most optimistic scoreline, but Wednesday should see a much changed Chelsea line-up claim a convincing win against lower league opposition. The neglected Abraham will he hoping to stake a claim for a regular starting spot, so don’t be surprised to see him end up on the scoresheet while even the poorest of Chelsea defences should keep a clean sheet against a side yet to score in the Championship.

Tan Yi Hao: 7-0 Chelsea

Following the somewhat harsh 2-0 home loss to Liverpool last time out, Chelsea and Lampard are most likely going to come flying off the blocks at home to Barnsley. The Blues will have too much in the bag for Barnsley to handle and I am backing Timo Werner and Hudson-Odoi to knock in a few to open their respective accounts for the season.

Hugo Amaya: 4-1 Chelsea

Lampard will give some players a rest and allow others to shine. This will be a comfortable win for the Blues with goals by Abraham, Giroud and CHO. However, it will not be a perfect result due to a late consolation goal by Barnsley. Nevertheless, certain players will get much needed minutes on the field, and Lampard will get to try some new tactics.

Gabe Henderson: 4-0 Chelsea

Lampard’s expressed his intent to start an experienced side. Regardless of who has played together and who hasn’t, any combination of Chelsea veterans is capable of ripping apart one of the Championship’s poorest sides.

Travis Tyler: 4-0 Chelsea

A halfway rotated Blues side struggles early on before a half time Super Frank talk gets the team firing on all cylinders.

Jake Leach: 2-0 Chelsea

Will have a preseason feel to it. Chelsea will dominate the ball for most of the game. Barnsley will offer little threat going forward. The key thing to look for will be Callum Hudson-Odoi. Have a good game here, maybe grab a goal, he could find himself in a Premier League starting lineup.

What are your score predictions for this match? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!