Same venue, same teams, different competition from which one will exit tonight for certain. Club historian Rick Glanvill and club statistician Paul Dutton take a close look at the follow-up visit from the team from Old Trafford.

It's not that often football proffers the opportunity to gain revenge so rapidly. Even though few of the same players from Sunday's controversial league game are likely to involved, tonight Chelsea will be keen to return to winning ways in the Capital One Cup against our main rival of the past eight seasons.

It is about three steps to Wembley rather than three points, but the league leaders will be keen to earn a place in mid-December's quarter-finals. Unlike some bodies it is in Chelsea's DNA to fight for every piece of silverware, and the competition also provides a platform for the club's future stars to shine. Manchester United clearly feel the same way.

This next phases of this tournament dovetail with the Champions League, the semi-finals scheduled for January before European football hopefully returns to the agenda.

Chelsea were London's first League Cup champions in 1964/65 and have won the title four times - the same number as tonight's visitors. The Blues have had three different winning managers, of course, whereas only Sir Alex Ferguson has lifted it for the Mancunians - the first time being 1991/92.

With reigning champions Manchester City and Newcastle of last season's top six already out, there are eight Barclays Premier League teams remaining in the competition. This is one of three all-top-flight ties.

Chelsea have netted 14 goals in the last five League Cup ties at the Bridge, but Premier League opposition have left victorious in the previous two campaigns.

Man United defender Jonny Evans must consider Stamford Bridge a lucky ground, and just not because on Sunday his unpunished foul on goal-bound Fernando Torres led to the latter's controversial dismissal.

Just under two years ago he kicked Didier Drogba in the ribs but referee Martin Atkinson took the Ivorian's name rather than show a red card to the Northern Irishman.

Juan Mata's strike against United was his second direct free kick goal in the league this season and our third in all competitions to date. Over the whole of last season the Blues managed just one.

The draw for the fifth round of the League Cup will follow the conclusion of this match and will be carried live on Sky Sports.
Should the scores be level after 90 minutes, 30 minutes' extra time will be played. If there is still no winner the tie will be decided by penalties.

Leeds, Arsenal, Middlesbrough, Aston Villa and Bradford all progressed to the last eight last night.


- Match preview by chelseafc.com