Chelsea’s last football action before the festivities is a Carabao Cup quarter-final trip across west London to Brentford, who have not beaten us on their ground for 83 years.

The Blues, on a run of one win in five matches, are aiming to reach the League Cup semi-finals for the first time since December 2018, when Eden Hazard’s late goal saw off Bournemouth’s resistance.

The Bees’ best ever performance came last season when they beat Newcastle 1-0 in the last eight. Both teams were turfed out of last season’s competition by Tottenham.

The European champions have squared up to top-flight opposition in all three rounds, seeing off Aston Villa and Southampton on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw in normal time. On both occasions each side missed one, Kepa saved an opponent’s attempt, and Reece James delivered the coup de grace.

For the teams that make it through, the draw for the semi-finals will take place on Sky Sports after the final whistle of tonight’s Tottenham-West Ham match. The final of domestic football’s quickest route to major silverware will be played at Wembley on Sunday 27 February.

Chelsea team news

Having listed just four outfield players on the bench for the stalemate at Wolves on Sunday, Thomas Tuchel has five substitutions available to him this evening in the Carabao Cup. Yet his squad remains short of numbers.

It is too early for the return of those who tested positive for Covid last week and injury now may rule out centre-backs Andreas Christensen and Trevoh Chalobah, as well as Ben Chilwell. Jorginho is back in full training but central midfielder N’Golo Kante will not be risked for a second outing three days after returning from a lengthy lay-off and the same may be the case for and Mateo Kovacic.

With so much uncertainty still around test results and injuries, the coaching staff ran the rule over several younger age group players in two sessions this week: 18-year-old centre-backs Josh Brooking and Alfie Gilchrist; Joe Haigh (18), a no.10; central midfielder Xavier Simons (18); Dion Rankine (19) and Lewis Hall (17), middlemen who can also play wing-back; and strikers Bryan Fiabema (18) and Jay Wareham (18).

Just ahead, perhaps, are Dutch centre-half Xavier Mbuyamba (19) and versatile Harvey Vale (18) who, along with goalkeepers Lucas Bergstrom (19) and Teddy Sharman-Lowe (18), have already figured as unused subs this season.

Less regular seniors such as defender Malang Sarr and midfielders Saul Niguez and Ross Barkley are all likely to start if Tuchel feels the necessity to prioritise Premier League points at Villa Park on Boxing Day over a two-leg semi-final starting in two weeks’ time. Cesar Azpilicueta, Reece James, Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech are among those who might bolster the experience level if needed.

Kepa Arrizabalaga also seems likely to be handed more minutes to reacclimatise ahead of Edou Mendy’s prospective departure to the Africa Cup of Nations early next month.

On tactics, Thomas Tuchel matched Brentford’s 3-5-2 with a three-man midfield to earn the 1-0 league victory in October. Saul put in his most assured performance yet at Molineux and may be asked to anchor a similar trio. After the late siege in October it would be not surprise to see plenty of height in the team too.

*after penalty shoot-out

Hive of activity at last

Thomas Frank steered Brentford back to the big time after a 74-year absence last summer, and his first concern must be to keep his 12th-placed team in the Premier League.

All the same, the Bees have two postponed games yet to be rescheduled and face a tricky festive league programme. They have a nine-point buffer above the relegation places. The team has not had a competitive game since Friday 10 December, 12 days ago, and Frank has confirmed he will field a strong line-up tonight.

Despite Mathias ‘Zanka’ Jorgensen and Ethan Pinnock recently returning to the fold after illness, the Danish coach still has issues at the back because goalie David Raya and centre-backs Kristoffer Ajer and Julian Jeanvier are out, along with anchor midfielder Josh Dasilva. Star striker Ivan Toney could return, though, possibly partnered by Marcus Forss.

Frank’s other concern must be the unpredictability of the opposition line-up, and therefore the difficulty in preparing measures for specific individuals.

The Bees’ best moments in Chelsea’s September win in TW8 came in the last 10 minutes, when they simply played the ball long into the visitors’ goal area. This may well be the strategy against a patched-up Chelsea team tonight.

How to follow Brentford-Chelsea

This match will not be covered live in the UK. To find the relevant broadcaster where you are, see the Football League’s international partners pageHighlights and the full game will be available on this website from 1am UK time.

Chelsea TV’s worldwide matchday shows – including early team news, exclusive interviews and analysis – are on this website and The 5th Stand app.

Carabao Cup regulations

In the event of a draw at the end of normal time, Carabao Cup ties up to the semi-final stage will be decided by penalties, without the use of extra time. In the previous two rounds Chelsea won 4-3 in the shoot-out, Kepa crucially parrying one attempt in each game. Brentford won two shoot0outs in last season’s competition.

Five substitutions are permitted this evening with nine options allowed on the bench. (During extra time in semi-finals or the final up to six are permitted replacement can be made.) Yellow cards do not carry over to any other competition.

We have history

There has not been a west London derby in the League Cup involving Chelsea since September 2011, when Martin Jol’s Fulham were the visitors for a drama-filled evening.

Alex was sent off for the Blues for a last-man foul, but Pajtim Kasami missed the ensuing penalty. Thereafter the Whites cleared off the line to preserve the 0-0 result before a penalty shoot-out ensued.

Ross Turnbull, on for the injured Petr Cech, saved one Fulham effort and saw another strike post as Andre Villas-Boas’s title challengers progressed to the quarter-finals.

Top-flight dominance of EFL Cup

Chelsea, the first winners of this cup from the capital, could make it three London clubs in an all-Premier League last four this evening. Sunderland, the sole remaining representatives from the Football League, who organise the competition, were knocked out by Arsenal last night.

The last club from outside the top flight to win this trophy remain Sheffield Wednesday, who beat Manchester United in the 1991 final while in Division Two. Manchester City have won six of the past 10 finals, Liverpool, Man United, Swansea (then in the Premier League) and Chelsea one each.

Arrive early, stay safe

Chelsea fans attending this evening’s match are advised to arrive earlier than usual as everyone over 18 must show staff a valid NHS Covid Pass or proof of a negative lateral flow test result from the previous 48 hours. There is also the need to fill in a declaration form before attending. Full details of all this here

Carabao Cup quarter-final result and fixtures

TuesdayArsenal 5 Sunderland 1

WednesdayBrentford v Chelsea 7.45pmLiverpool v Leicester 7.45pmTottenham v West Ham 7.45pm (Sky Sports)