Chelsea vs. Bournemouth: Carabao Cup Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info

Chelsea and Bournemouth will go head-to-head at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday in the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup.

The Blues edged out Southampton 1-0 on Saturday, while Bournemouth slipped to a 4-0 defeat to Liverpool the following day.

Read on for a closer look at the contest, but first here are the coverage details for the match:

Date: Wednesday, December 20

Time: 7:45 p.m. GMT/2:45 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN3 USA

Live Stream: WatchESPN (USA)

Team News

Marcos Alonso will be absent from the clash after he picked up his fifth Premier League booking of the season against Southampton. According to Blues boss Antonio Conte, that presents a problem for Chelsea, per Goal's Nizaar Kinsella:

Meanwhile, David Luiz is likely to remain an absentee as he deals with a "serious" knee injury, per Ryan Benson of the same outlet.

According to Transfermarkt, Tyrone Mings and Brad Smith are long-term absentees with back and hip problems, respectively.

Preview

Chelsea have largely been in excellent form of late, but Conte believes that has gone under the radar because of Manchester City's superlative run of 16 wins, per ESPN FC's Liam Twomey:

The Italian perhaps has a point, but most importantly for the Blues, it stands them in good stead as they gear up to face the Cherries on Wednesday, even if Conte opts to rotate his side.

One player who could be brought back into the team by the manager is Alvaro Morata.

Chelsea's marquee summer signing has been given a break of late, having played just 17 minutes against Southampton after being left out of the squad entirely for the 3-1 win over Huddersfield Town.

The Spaniard has been a strong capture for the Blues having netted 10 goals so far this season, but Kinsella suggested he has a fight on his hands for a place up front:

A strong performance against Bournemouth would offer a timely reminder of what he can bring amid the packed fixture schedule over the Christmas period.

Following Sunday's defeat to Liverpool, the Cherries are winless in six matches, and Wednesday's clash comes in the middle of an unenviable run of fixtures—they played Manchester United prior to the Reds, and they take on Manchester City after the Blues.

A cup run would provide a welcome escape from their Premier League campaign, in which they're just one point above the drop zone, but they'll have their work cut out for them here.