Carabao Cup Semi-Final Draw Set as Chelsea Join the Last-Four Mix
So, there’s a lot of buzz right now around the Carabao Cup semi-final draw, and it’s easy to see why. Chelsea have officially booked their place in the last four, and all eyes are now on who they’ll be facing next as the competition moves closer to its Wembley finale.
Chelsea’s route to the semi-finals wasn’t straightforward. A tough trip to Cardiff City tested Enzo Maresca’s side, with the League One leaders putting up a serious fight in the Welsh capital. The breakthrough eventually arrived just before the hour mark, when substitute Alejandro Garnacho calmly slotted the ball home after being picked out by Facundo Buonanotte. Cardiff didn’t back down, though, and the game was levelled with about 15 minutes to go when David Turnbull rose highest to power in a header. At that point, the tie was finely balanced. However, Chelsea were able to regroup, and their quality told late on. Two goals in the final ten minutes, one from Pedro Neto and another from Garnacho, sealed a 3–1 win and confirmed Chelsea’s place in the semi-finals.
Also Read:- Avatar: Fire and Ash Feels Longer, Louder, and More Tired Than Ever
- New Beginnings Turn Awkward as Penguins’ Goalie Faces Old Team
Now, attention turns to the draw itself. The Carabao Cup semi-final draw is set to take place this evening, Wednesday 17 December, and it will happen shortly after the conclusion of the quarter-final match between Newcastle United and Fulham. The draw is expected to get underway at around 10.35pm UK time. For fans watching from home, it will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with Mark Chapman hosting alongside pundits Jamie Redknapp and Shay Given.
The structure of the semi-finals is also worth noting. These ties will be played over two legs, adding another layer of drama. The first legs are scheduled for the week commencing 12 January 2026, while the return fixtures will take place in the week beginning 2 February 2026. With home and away matches to come, consistency and squad depth will be crucial.
As for how the draw works, things are slightly unusual this year. Arsenal and Crystal Palace haven’t played their quarter-final yet due to scheduling issues linked to Palace’s European commitments, so they will be represented by a single ball. The winner of that tie will take on whoever they are drawn against in the semi-finals.
The ball numbers going into the draw are straightforward: Chelsea are one ball, while the winners of Manchester City versus Brentford, Newcastle versus Fulham, and Arsenal versus Crystal Palace make up the rest of the pot. With big names still involved and two-legged ties ahead, the Carabao Cup is shaping up for a tense and exciting run toward the final.
Read More:
0 Comments