Derby vs. Chelsea: Time, Live Stream and 2014 Capital One Cup Preview

Chelsea look to consolidate their Premier League activities as they travel to Derby County of the Championship for their League Cup quarterfinal clash.

The Rams have started their campaign well and sit in the first play-off spot in the league table, per BBC Sport.

They will feel they are ready for the challenge of Chelsea—who have seen their own performance value dip in recent games.

Here is how you can watch this intriguing clash and witness if Jose Mourinho can stay in the cup.

When: Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 7:45 p.m. GMT/2:45 p.m. ET

Where: iPro Stadium, Derby, England.

TV Info: Sky Sports 1 & HD (UK only) BeIN Sports (U.S. only)

Live Stream: Sky Go (UK only) BeIN Sports CONNECT (U.S. only)

Steve McClaren Says Chelsea Have Almost No Weakness

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Steve McClaren has spoken out about the challenges facing his Derby County side when they face Chelsea on Tuesday—with the former England manager saying Jose Mourinho's team have dramatically improved since last term.

Laurie Whitwell of the Mail Online quotes McClaren discussing the Stamford Bridge outfit and how he could find almost no weakness with his illustrious opponents:

"

We played them in the FA Cup and it was strong then. From a year ago they have improved immensely. Mourinho’s addressed the areas he thought were a problem, up front and then Matic and Fabregas in midfield: so strong mentally and physically.

They are so much better. We did a video on the weaknesses on their team and it lasted about five seconds. They have only lost once this season and then they ran out of time (against Newcastle). They are the best team in the Premier League and arguably the best team in Europe.

We have to perform at our best to stay in the game and have a chance of achieving our dream result. I want to see how our players perform—have we moved on from a year ago? Because Chelsea have.

"

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Derby have improved in recent times and now find themselves back in the mix for a place in the Premier League.

But whether they will have enough in the tank to face a Chelsea side who have destroyed almost every team they have faced this year is questionable.

And Mourinho has hinted that he will field a strong team against the Midlands club as he looks to find his way to yet another semi-finals in his career, per Simon Johnson of The London Evening Standard:

"I will pick the best possible team. We have no reason to rest people, everybody goes."

Those are ominous words for McClaren and his high-flying side. The big teams are usually known for heavy rotation in the League Cup but Chelsea have a new thirst for trophies—and Mourinho wants to quench his thirst sooner rather than later.

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And former Chelsea star Graeme Le Saux has backed this sentiment and says Mourinho has a healthy respect for England's two cup competitions, per Matt McGeehan of the Mail Online.

But the former England full-back also says it is an excellent chance for Derby to prove themselves against the highest calibre of Premier League opposition:

"

It was the first trophy he [Mourinho] won with Chelsea. I'm sure he enjoyed that experience so much and once you've tasted it you want to experience it again. It's something that I'm sure they're as focused on as all the other competitions they're in.

...

For Derby there is the opportunity to prove to themselves that they're more than capable of competing against players of the calibre that Chelsea have. The template that Sunderland and Newcastle used against Chelsea is a great opportunity for McClaren to look at that and use the same blueprint.

"

Derby will be a tough opponent for Chelsea and Mourinho, and the Portuguese boss will be hoping for no slip-ups against one of the Championship's best clubs.

The teams from the second tier often find deep reserves of energy in these kinds of matches—which makes the English cup competitions so special.

Match Preview

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Derby County will be without defender Ryan Shotton for the visit of Chelsea in the League Cup, with the player suspended after his red card against Middlesborough on Saturday.

Shotton will most likely be replaced by Jake Buxton in the starting XI—partnering Richard Keogh at the heart of the defence, per BBC Sport.

BBC Sport also say that Chelsea will see Cesc Fabregas return to the squad after his recent suspension but Gary Cahill will be rested in anticipation of the tough Christmas schedule ahead for the Blues.

Mourinho also confirmed that he will not be starting Brazilian midfielder Ramirez, per Johnson, with the player said to still be struggling with his match fitness. 

On paper, this should be a simple match for Chelsea but giant killings are what makes the cup such a romantic competition. Derby are good enough to pull off a shock, and with Cahill rested—Chelsea may be weaker at the back than one would expect.

However, the Blues should progress despite the best efforts of McClaren's team but a win is not guaranteed until the final whistle is blown. There is still much work for the west London club to do on Tuesday night.