Chelsea have discovered their route to Wembley Stadium after the League Cup semi-final draw paired them with either Arsenal or Crystal Palace in the last four.
Enzo Maresca’s side will host the first leg at Stamford Bridge before heading on the road for the return fixture, with a place in the March final on the line.
The Blues booked their semi-final spot with an underwhelming 3-1 away victory over League One side Cardiff City.
That win followed earlier successes over Lincoln City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, completing a testing but productive run from the third round for Chelsea.
Attention now turns to London, where Arsenal will host FA Cup holders Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium next week to determine Chelsea’s opponents.
Palace arrive with confidence after lifting the first major trophy in their history last summer, but they remain the only semi-finalist never to have won the League Cup.
On the other side of the draw, Manchester City will face reigning champions Newcastle United in a heavyweight semi-final clash.
City progressed with a controlled 2–0 win over Brentford, while Newcastle edged past Fulham 2–1 in dramatic fashion.
Yoane Wissa opened the scoring before Sasa Lukic equalised for Fulham, only for youngster Lewis Miley to strike a late winner and keep Newcastle’s hopes of retaining the trophy alive.
The Magpies will host the first leg of that tie.
The first legs of both semi-finals will be played in the week commencing January 12, with the return fixtures scheduled for the week beginning February 2.
The final will take place on Sunday, March 22.
Manchester City have lifted the trophy a record eight times, and are the favourites to clinch it again. Newcastle will take the fight to them.
Chelsea have lifted the League Cup five times, most recently in 2015. This is likely their best chance of winning silverware this season. Arsenal have won it twice, but must first get past the Eagles.
