Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
MK Dons welcome back Rob Hall after he was ineligible to play against parent club Bolton last weekend, while Kyle McFadzean returns after a ban.
Striker Nicky Maynard is a doubt with a hamstring problem, and Carl Baker, Matthew Upson and Ben Reeves are definitely out.
Chelsea’s Diego Costa is fit but fellow striker Loic Remy has been ruled out with a calf injury.
Pedro is available again after missing the Arsenal match because of illness.
Editor’s Note: Stadium MK has been the site of a Cup Giantkilling before as MK Dons beat Manchester United 4-0 in the League Cup back in 2014. They will be hoping for some more cup magic this Afternoon as they play host to a resurgent Chelsea
Karl Robinson’s side currently sit 20th in The Championship as they try to make sure they are the right side of the drop zone come the end of the season but for now the focus shifts to trying to mastermind another cup upset and progression to the 5th Round
It won’t be easy as Chelsea are slowly but surely finding their stride again and are yet to lose since Guus Hiddink started his second spell as Interim Manager. Last weekend they went to The Emirates and came away with all 3 points, the game was undoubtedly tipped in their favour when Per Mertesacker was sent off for Arsenal but it was a Chelsea performance of old as they continued their run of wins against The Gunners
Realistically this is Chelsea’s best chance of silverware this season and is a competition that Guus Hiddink knows well as he tasted success in his first spell as Interim Manager when his Chelsea side won the 2009 Edition of the Competition
The key difference for Chelsea since Hiddink taking charge is the fact that Diego Costa is back in the goals, he may have also been back in the headlines this week with Wenger blaming him for Mertesacker’s sending off but when Costa seems up for scoring goals, Chelsea look a much more dangerous outfit. Thankfully for Hiddink the Spanish International is fit to start today after coming off after an hour in last Sunday’s League win
New signing Pato will be unlikely to feature and will more than likely make his debut against Watford in Midweek. As for today I see no reason why Chelsea won’t win this, of course MK Dons will fancy their chances as this isn’t the invincible Chelsea of last season but I think The West London’s side quality will shine through in the end. An away win for me and Chelsea in the 5th Round Draw to follow straight after.
