Carabao Cup team news and prediction: Leicester vs Arsenal

 

Both Leicester and Arsenal have 100 per cent records in the Premier League this season but will now turn their focus to cup action when the two face off at the King Power Stadium in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

 

Ahead of Wednesday night's action, we have all the need-to-know information to help build up to the match, including kick-off time, where you can watch it, probable XIs and team news.

 

When is kick off?
Wednesday 23rd September, 19:45 GMT
Where is the match?
King Power Stadium Leicester
Where can I watch it?
This all-Premier League affair has not been selected for TV coverage but can be watched on carabaocup.live if fans pay £10 for a match pass.

 

2019/20 Carabao Cup Recap

 

Leicester will hope to go one better in this competition this season after crashing out of the semi-finals to Aston Villa in 2019/20. The Foxes defeated Newcastle, Luton, Burton and Everton before being downed by Villa 3-2 on aggregate over two legs.

 

Arsenal didn't last long in this competition at all last season after being eliminated in the fourth round by Liverpool. The Gunners defeated Nottingham Forest to set up a mouthwatering clash with Liverpool only to draw 5-5 and lose 5-4 on penalties in a crazy game. Both matches were overseen by ex-boss Unai Emery, with Mikel Arteta preparing for his first League Cup game as a manager here.

 

Team News

 

Brendan Rodgers is expected to shuffle his pack to cope with the intense fixture schedule, with James Maddison set to make his first start of the campaign after being eased back from injury. Wes Morgan should also return to the frame, particularly as Jonny Evans is still suspended and now Wilfred Ndidi is crocked. Young midfielder Hamza Choudhury will hope to get some minutes, as well Kelechi Iheanacho.

 

Like Leicester, changes are also expected of Arsenal on Wednesday. Club-record signing Nicolas Pepe will make his first start of the season, with fringe players like Eddie Nketiah, Mohamed Elneny and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Sead Kolasinac also coming into the side. The Gunners still have huge injury concerns, particularly at the back, with six defenders missing. William Saliba will hope to make his Arsenal debut as a result, while Bernd Leno will be required in goal as No.2 Runar Alex Runarsson only joined this week.

 

Probable XIs

 

Carabao Cup team news and prediction: Leicester vs Arsenal

 

Leicester (352): Schmeichel; Morgan, Soyuncu, Fuchs; Castagne, Praet, Choudhury, Maddison, Justin; Vardy, Iheanacho

 

Arsenal (343): Leno; Saliba, Luiz, Kolasinac; Maitland-Niles, Elneny, Ceballos, Saka; Pepe, Nketiah, Aubameyang

 

Key Battle: Jamie Vardy vs Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

 

Carabao Cup team news and prediction: Leicester vs Arsenal

 

Jamie Vardy and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are expected to lock horns for this season's Premier League Golden Boot award and they will get an early look at each other if selected on Wednesday night.

 

They have combined to score 91 Premier League goals since the beginning of the 2017/18 campaign, with Aubameyang picking up the Golden Boot award in 2018/19 and Vardy last season. Despite both moving well into their 30s, they remain as key as ever for their respective clubs.

 

No matter who comes into the team, it always seems to be one of Vardy or Aubameyang that does the business for their side and it will be no different at the King Power Stadium on Wednesday.

 

Prediction: Leicester 2-1 Arsenal

Carabao Cup team news and prediction: Leicester vs Arsenal