Our prediction for this EFL Cup match:
Lincoln
Match Time & Date:
23 September 2025
19:45
Prediction: 0-3
Chelsea
Lincoln will be aiming to claim a major scalp in the EFL Cup last 32 when they welcome star-studded Premier League side Chelsea to their LNER Stadium. The Imps are brimming with confidence following back-to-back League One wins over Luton Town and Burton Albion, but they will have a mountain to climb against Enzo Maresca’s troops. Justin Obikwu is pushing for a start after scoring as a substitute against the Hatters, while both Jefferies and Moylan remain in the recovery room.
The Blues, on the other hand, aim to recover from a 2-1 loss to Manchester United, a match in which goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was dismissed only five minutes in. As a result, Sanchez misses the EFL Cup clash through suspension, while all Badiashile, Essugo, Delap, and Lavia remain on the sidelines with injuries. Regardless of which players will be deployed in Chelsea’s starting XI, we predict that the Premier League side will advance to the EFL Cup last 16 as Enzo Maresca has a number of top-class footballers to choose from.
Highlighted Team (Chelsea):
Over the years Chelsea have established themselves as one of the dominant forces in the English Premier League. Roberto Di Matteo helped the team win their first ever Champions League trophy (2011/2012), but it has to be noted that they were more than fortunate to beat Bayern Munich in the title game.
Chelsea have been playing at Stamford Bridge since 1876 and they are a real force to be reckoned with at home. The Blues have won seven FA Cups, five League Cups, two UEFA Cup Winners’ Cups and the UEFA Europa League. Rafael Benitez was in charge of the team that faced Benfica in the 2012/2013 Europa League final, with Branislav Ivanovic scoring the winner for the Blues in the title clash.
After lifting the 2014/2015 Premier League trophy, the Blues largely struggled in the next campaign, which saw Jose Mourinho’s second spell with the club come to an end, and Antoine Conte went over to take the reigns for the 2016/2017 season.
Go Ahead Eagles 
Aston Villa 
Lyon
Basel 
Rapid Vienna 
Fiorentina 
AS Roma
Plzen 
Celta Vigo 
Nice 
Celtic 
Sturm Graz 
