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Football London
Football London
Sport
Nathan Bliss

We simulated Chelsea vs Manchester United to get a score prediction for Carabao Cup

Chelsea will be hoping to continue their strong recent form in midweek, as they face historic rivals Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup Fourth Round on Wednesday evening.

Frank Lampard's side have been in superb form in recent weeks and a win against United would be their eight successive win in all competitions, with the Blues' young players justifying Lampard's faith in youth.

But, with the team likely to be rotated for the clash against United, can they continue their winning run?

And, what XI will Frank Lampard go for against United?

We used FIFA 20 to predict the outcome of this midweek Carabao Cup fixture.

Chelsea vs Manchester United on FIFA 20

To set up this simulation, we used kick-off mode within FIFA 20 but didn't select a team to control; we then selected the teams and watched the match play out by itself, to give us a unique prediction.

The AI difficulty was set to world class, with the line-up updated with the latest transfers, injuries and suspensions.

We predict that Chelsea could set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with the line-up as follows: Caballero; James, Zouma, Tomori, Emerson; Jorginho, Kovacic; Hudson-Odoi, Pedro, Pulisic; Giroud.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

We predict that Manchester United could set up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, with the line-up as follows: Romero; Jones, Maguire, Rojo; Wan-Bissaka, Garner, McTominay, Williams; Pereira; Martial, Rashford.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

Due to the large amount of changes made for this game by both teams, the match took a while to get going, with both sides lacking cohesion in the opening stages.

But as the game progressed, it was Chelsea who grabbed control, retaining possession and looking the more composed in the final third.

United's wing-backs showed little intent to go forward in the opening 45 minutes, preferring to try and stay compact in the defensive third.

Callum Hudson-Odoi was playing particularly well in the first-half, up against United youngster Brandon Williams, who had the unenviable task of marking the talented winger.

In the 35 minute, Hudson-Odoi showed his quality by waltzing past Williams on the right before putting a great cross into the area, and there was Olivier Giroud to head home at the near post, with his heading coming off the bar and bouncing on the line before going in.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

It was close, but it was over the line.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

In the second-half, United's wing-backs were unleashed, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side came out with more intensity and started to exert some control of their own.

And it didn't take long for them to grab an equaliser, with Marcus Rashford scoring just four minutes after the break.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

A brilliant pass from Andreas Pereira set Rashford on his way, who then fired past Caballero at his near post to make it 1-1 on the night.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

This goal created mayhem with the game descending into a frantic end-to-end contest, as both sides were now looking to grab a goal and weren't too bothered about defending.

Both sides were creating chances to score but it was Frank Lampard's side who struck first in the 58th minute.

Hudson-Odoi got past Williams again on the right and laid the ball back to Jorginho, who rolled the ball back into the path of Pedro, who finished expertly past Romero.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

United continued to attack in the final 30 minutes but couldn't grab an equaliser, with their best chance to equalise coming through Rashford just five minutes before the final whistle, but he could only shank a shot wide from just inside the area after being given acres of space.

Chelsea advanced to the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup, with goals from Giroud and Pedro sealing the victory.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

Full-time score: Chelsea 2-1 Manchester United

Here are the full-time match stats.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

A very even game, with both sides creating chances.

Callum Hudson-Odoi was the Blues' best player, setting up Giroud for the opener and giving Williams a torrid time.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

This FIFA 20 simulation predicts that Chelsea will be able to continue their winning ways against Manchester United in midweek, despite a much-changed team, advancing to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.

What do you think the score will be?

       
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