Our prediction for this EFL Cup match:
Chelsea will look to kickstart their EFL Cup campaign in fashion when they welcome AFC Wimbledon to their Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening. The Blues are not seen as one of the main favourites to win the Premier League trophy and, no doubt, they want to go all the way in the League Cup. All Maatsen, Ugochukwu, and Burstow are pushing for a start after the trio came off the bench in a 3-0 win over Luton Town at the weekend, while the likes of Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Christopher Nkunku, and Mykhaylo Mudryk remain in the recovery room.
The Dons, on the other hand, are undefeated in the 2023/2024 season, but Chelsea will pose a much bigger threat for the visitors than their previous rivals. As David faces Goliath in London, anything but a routine home win would be a big surprise. AFC Wimbledon Jake Reeves should miss the game with injury.
Highlighted Player (Thiago Silva):
![Thiago Silva](https://footballpredictions.com/wp-content/plugins/fp-highlights/imageid/player/8833628.png)
Brazilian defender Thiago Silva is one of the highest rated defenders in world football. Having emerged from Fluminense youth ranks, the 31-year-old defender established himself as a world-class performer while plying his trade for AC Milan from 2009 to 2012.
Having largely contributed to Rossonerri’s title winning campaign in 2010-11, Thiago Silva moved to Paris Saint-Germain together with Zlatan Ibrahimovic for a reported fee worth €42 million, which made him then second-most expensive defender in football history after Rio Ferdinand.
Silva was an immediate success at the French club, helping Les Parisiens win four consecutive Ligue 1 titles in the process. Heavily linked with a move away from Parc des Princes, fan favourite Thiago Silva remains a key figure at Paris Saint-Germain and a leader of the new wave under head coach Unai Emery. Having already surpassed the 100-game mark for the French giants, Thiago Silva is slowly writing his name in the history books of Paris Saint-Germain.
Highlighted Team (AFC Wimbledon):
![AFC Wimbledon](https://footballpredictions.com/wp-content/plugins/fp-highlights/imageid/team/5110769.png)
Based in Kingston upon Thames, AFC Wimbledon are a professional football club that compete in the third tier of English football, commonly known as the League One. AFC Wimbledon were formed by former Wimbledon FC supporters in 2002 following the FA decision to allow the club to relocate to Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, only 90 kilometers north of Wimbledon.
The Dons welcome their rivals at Kingsmeadow, the stadium with the capacity of 4,850. AFC Wimbledon play their home games in blue shirts and blue shorts, whilst the colour of their away kit is yellow. The Dons won the Lanes Cup on two occasions (2007/2008, 2011/2012), Supporters Direct Cup three times (2002/2003, 2005/2006, 2009/2010), while lifting the Surrey Seniors Cup in the 2004/2005 season.
Popular British actor Vinnie Jones is considered one of the most famous Wimbledon players, scoring 14 goals in 177 appearances for the club. Jones has 7 Premier League red cards, making him one of the dirtiest players in the history of English football.