The Carabao Cup 2023-24 semi final draw has been made, and it features Chelsea vs Middlesbrough alongside Liverpool vs Fulham for a spot in the finals. The matches will be played over two leagues on 10 & 11 January, followed by 24 & 25 January 2024.
The aggregate score will be taken into consideration when determining who makes it to the final. Each tie will see the games played both home and away for each team, resulting in a road to the final just like the Champions League.
Carabao Cup 2023/24 semi-final draw: What could happen in the final?
Liverpool vs Fulham promises to be the more competitive match, with both teams from the Premier League and in-form. Fulham recently defeated Wolves 3-2, followed by Nottingham Forest and West Ham United 5-0, albeit losing 3-0 to Newcastle United.
Liverpool drew 0-0 with Arsenal in their most recent Premier League game, but smashed West Ham United 5-1 in the quarter final. And with the Red winning 4-3 when the two sides met on December 3, Fulham will go in wanting revenge for narrowly losing the game.
For Chelsea, the Carabao Cup might be their only shot at silverware this season. And they are the ones who need it the most, with Mauricio Pochettino’s young side hungry to be taken seriously. And what better way to stake your claim than to back it up with a trophy?
With Championship side Middlesbrough up against them in the semifinal, the quality advantage easily lies with the Blues. However, Boro might surprise us over the two legs considering how unpredictable Cup ties are.
If both Chelsea and Liverpool make it through, we would get a replay of the Carabao Cup final from two years ago, where Jurgen Klopp’s side won on penalties. But Chelsea are a completely different team now, and it would be interesting to see how they fare when faced with the pressure of a Cup final.
However, it would be even more interesting to see how a dark horse like Fulham or Boro resort to qualifying for the final.
