Swindon Town v Chelsea [English League Cup]

Swindon could again be without midfielders Ryan Mason and Ryan Harley, who are nursing respective thigh and knee problems.

Alex Pritchard returns after a one-game ban but Nathan Byrne completes a three-game suspension.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho says he will use players who did not feature in Saturday's win against Fulham.

Cesar Azpilicueta, Ryan Bertrand, David Luiz, Michael Essien and Juan Mata are all set to start at the County Ground.


Jose Mourinho lifted the League Cup twice during his first spell in charge of Chelsea and although the competition may not be the Blues' priority this season, they are the bookmakers' favourites to win the trophy for a fifth time.

Those odds reflect the remarkable strength in depth at Stamford Bridge. While Mourinho will not field his first-choice side against Swindon, the Robins are unlikely to take encouragement from a visiting team-sheet set to include David Luiz and Juan Mata.

Mata has been voted Chelsea's Player of the Year for the last two seasons, yet has been challenged by Mourinho to prove he deserves a starting spot. The prospect of a midweek audition at the County Ground could hurt his pride. This is, after all, a player whose last competitive goal came for Spain at the Maracana.

Mourinho's Blues may have one eye on Saturday's trip to Tottenham, but they will face several players with Spurs connections on Tuesday.

The Robins have a close relationship with the north London club, and signed six Tottenham academy graduates this summer: Massimo Luongo, Nathan Byrne and Jack Barthram joined permanently, along with loanees Alex Pritchard, Ryan Mason and Grant Hall.

Given that influx of new players it is perhaps understandable that Swindon's form has been inconsistent this term, but Mark Cooper's side have not lost at home since February.

Head-to-head

Swindon won the only previous League Cup tie between the sides, a 3-0 victory in a second-round tie at the County Ground in 1963.
The Blues have won their last five games against Swindon in all competitions.
Swindon's last victory against the Londoners was a 4-0 win in a Simod Cup tie in January 1988.


Swindon

Swindon have not lost at home since a 1-0 defeat by Bury on 26 February.
They achieved their best League Cup performance for 18 years by reaching the fourth round last season, beating Premier League Stoke and Championship clubs Brighton and Burnley en route.
Swindon are yet to concede in the League Cup this season, keeping clean sheets against Torquay and QPR.
They have won four of their last five League Cup clashes against teams from a higher division (losing one), with those games producing a total of 21 games.

Chelsea

The Blues won the League Cup twice in Jose Mourinho's first spell in charge - in 2005 and 2007.
In total, they have lifted the trophy four times - only Liverpool (eight) and Aston Villa (five) have won the competition more often.
They scored 16 goals in their first three League Cup ties last season but failed to net in either leg of their semi-final against Swansea.