Chelsea League Cup Odds Shorten After Swashbuckling Win Over Leeds

Chelsea are now the second favorites to win the League Cup after a rampant second-half comeback gave them a 6-3 victory over Leeds.

The Blues are now generally available at 5/1 to lift the trophy, from 8/1 before the Luton win in the last round.

Arsenal remain favourites at 4/1 after beating Chelsea in the semis last season on the way to the final. Holders Man City are next in the betting after the Blues at 11/2.

Big guns fire Blues to victory

Xabi Alonso went with a changed lineup as expected, but we did not see the nine-goal thriller that ensued after he called on the big guns from the bench.

After a disappointing first half, Alonso made four half-time changes, bringing on Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Reece James, and Pedro Neto. Leeds made the better start, however, going 2-0 up shortly after the break.

A Palmer penalty after Pep Chavarria was fouled was the catalyst for the comeback. Palmer followed up two minutes later to equalise before goals from Neto and Danny Welbeck put Chelsea in full control.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin pulled one back for Leeds before Valentin Barco got his first goal for the club. The victory was rounded off by Welbeck’s third goal in two Carabao Cup starts.

Watch the highlights of the nine-goal thriller below

Alonso asked to up the intensity

After the match, Palmer revealed what the manager said as he made the changes.

“Up the intensity, play a bit more, come more alive because I think the first half was flat,” Palmer said. “Everyone agreed in the changing room, so we stepped up.”

“I probably haven’t seen a half like that for a while. Leeds are a good team, tough game, but we needed to pull through and we did.”

Alonso was pleased with the connection between players; Rogers and Palmer continue to link up effectively, and their introductions changed the game. However, the Spaniard said he wants to settle things down after another wild game with three conceded.

“We need to keep working on the good things and keep on improving other things,” he said post-match. “We want to have better balance, to be more solid, to be able to win in a boring game as well, if that happens.”

Caicedo return could settle things

Alonso could do with the return of Moises Caicedo in the center of the pitch to gain more control of matches. In our Caicedo injury update at the weekend, we said he was touch-and-go for the Arsenal game.

He sat out again on Wednesday, but should be fit to return this weekend against Hull. The Premier League newcomers have surprised many with two wins and a draw from their first three matches.

With Chelsea’ frontline firing on all cylinders, Hull will struggle to keep a fourth clean sheet in a row. Chelsea are clear favourites at odds of 1/4 to get the win.

With their League Cup odds shortening, the Blues are now priced at 350/1 for a domestic treble, in from 500/1.