Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the EFL Cup quarter-finals between Chelsea and Bournemouth. We have just 30 minutes left until kickoff, so let's take a look at the two starting lineups...

CHELSEA XI: Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, Palmieri; Kovacic, Fabregas, Barkley; Willian, Giroud, Loftus-Cheek

CHELSEA SUBSTITUTES: Caballero, Zappacosta, Luiz, Kante, Pedro, Hazard, Hudson-Odoi

BOURNEMOUTH XI: Boruc; S.Cook, Simpson, Daniels; Ibe, Stanislas, Ake, Brooks, Rico; Wilson, Mousset

BOURNEMOUTH SUBSTITUTES: Travers, Mings, Surman, Pugh, Fraser, King, Defoe

Let's start with Chelsea as Maurizio Sarri opts to name a stronger starting lineup than expected. However, Eden Hazard is only named on the bench with the Italian opting not to risk his star man due to a knock sustained at the weekend.

Kepa Arrizabalaga gets the nod over Willy Caballero between the sticks, while Cesar Azpilicueta and Antonio Rudiger start when they had perhaps expected to be rested. Andreas Christensen and Emerson Palmieri still come into the side.

Jorginho and N'Golo Kante drop out of the starting lineup so Cesc Fabregas and Mateo Kovacic will take over the more defensive-minded duties in the middle of the park. Ross Barkley is the other man to feature in midfield, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek being used on the flank.

Willian and Olivier Giroud make up the rest of the attack, with Callum Hudson-Odoi only named on the bench. There is no Ethan Ampadu in the 18-man squad.

As for Bournemouth, injuries have resulted in Howe tinkering with his team. Youngster Jack Simpson has come into a three-man defence, while Nathan Ake will be used in central midfield. Callum Wilson is also given a start after only coming off the bench against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the weekend.

Jordon Ibe and Diego Rico will take on the wing-back roles with Junior Stanislas and David Brooks both being used in front of Ake in midfield. Andrew Surman is only on the bench, while Jefferson Lerma is left out of the squad.

PREDICTION! Chelsea have made a number of changes, but we still expect a Blues win. Many of Sarri's squad are match-fit due to the Europa League and they should be sharp enough to get the better of the Cherries. Chelsea to prevail by a 3-1 scoreline.

HEAD TO HEAD! Tonight's fixture represents just the 14th competitive contest between the two clubs, with Chelsea registering 10 wins in comparison to three victories for Bournemouth.

Eight of those matches have taken place since December 2015, and Bournemouth have twice recorded a victory with a clean sheet at Stamford Bridge during that period.

A reminder that you can also keep up-to-date of the North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur by clicking here.

It's time for the two teams to start making their way out at Stamford Bridge. Both sets of players - especially Bournemouth's - will recognise that they have a solid chance of making the final in February, and that should lead to a competitive match in West London.

A reminder of the two starting lineups...

CHELSEA XI: Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, Palmieri; Kovacic, Fabregas, Barkley; Willian, Giroud, Loftus-Cheek

BOURNEMOUTH XI: Boruc; S.Cook, Simpson, Daniels; Ibe, Stanislas, Ake, Brooks, Rico; Wilson, Mousset

KICKOFF:  We are underway in West London.

It has been all Chelsea during the early stages. The Blues have already had a couple of corners but on each occasion, Willian failed to make the most of the set-piece opportunity.

Ake is effectively dropping in as a centre-back when Chelsea push Bournemouth back. That's perhaps why Daniels is being used on the left of a back three rather than at full-back. Still all Chelsea.

SHOT!  Willian gets Chelsea's first shot on target and it's a fine effort, too. However, Boruc makes a fine save after the Brazilian had ended his mazy run with an effort on goal.

SHOT!  Barkley also takes it upon himself to test the stand-in stopper, but Boruc is equal to the attempt on goal yet again and keeps out the Englishman's low strike.

SHOT!  Even Azpilicueta is getting in on the act, but it will not come as a surprise to you that the defender's shot is the worst of the three with it going off target.

Bournemouth are yet to get going at Stamford Bridge. They are overloaded with attacking players and it isn't proving beneficial so far.

Chelsea have had over three quarters of possession as we approach the 15-minute mark. They are effectively being allowed to do what they want by the visitors.

Palmieri never needs a second invitation to get into the final third, but the left-back sees a pass blocked on this occasion. The Italy international will be hoping that a strong performance here can lead to a rare chance in the Premier League.

CHANCE!  Better from Bournemouth who finally manage to get Wilson into the game. The England international receives a pass on the edge of the area, but his effort from 20 yards goes just off target.

Giroud also hasn't been in the game at the other end. It is maybe reaching a point where Sarri is wondering whether Chelsea are more suited to playing with a false nine, so the Frenchman needs to make an impact.

SHOT!  Just like that, Giroud produces a superb bit of control before being denied by Boruc. Much better from the forward.

This has developed into a really good game. Brooks is found by Rico, and the Welshman's resulting shot is well saved by Arrizabalaga. This game surely won't end goalless...

Christensen has been demanding more first-team opportunities at Chelsea, but he isn't really doing himself many favours at the moment. Bournemouth are beginning to carve out plenty of space in the final third.

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The action has quietened down at Stamford Bridge. Both sides probably need a bit of a breather after a high-octane start.

More good work from Bournemouth involving Stanislas and Wilson leads to Brooks being given another chance on the edge of the area, but the playmaker's shot hits a teammate and does not trouble Arrizabalaga.

CHANCE!  Another big chance, this time for Chelsea. Loftus-Cheek set up Willian and the Brazilian only had Boruc to beat, but the veteran Pole stayed big before making an important block.

It is still difficult to believe that this game is still goalless. Both sides are throwing caution to the wind. Just over 10 minutes remaining until half time.

SAVE!  Again, how are we still goalless?! Mousset finds some space on the edge of the area and his shot is full of power, but Arrziabalaga reacts well to make the save. Ibe had initially put in the work to set up the opening.

Nothing comes from the resulting corner, but it's another sign that Bournemouth have not travelled to Stamford Bridge to settle for penalties. They want to win this and they are unsettling the Blues backline.

Loftus-Cheek looks a threat out on the flank and the academy graduate does well to force a corner. Nothing comes from it, but Chelsea will be pleased to have the ball at the other end of the pitch.

SHOT!  Willian tries his luck from distance and his shot is kept out by Boruc. The rebound falls to Giroud, but the forward is quite a way out and he cannot force the ball past the goalkeeper.

Loftus-Cheek and Barkley both try efforts from range as well but they do not come close to opening the scoring for Chelsea. We are nearly at half time.

HALF TIME:  Chelsea 0-0 Bournemouth

The half-time whistle goes at Stamford Bridge and we somehow remain goalless. Both sides have created numerous chances to score, but Arrizabalaga and Boruc have kept their side on level terms.

Willian has been at the centre of many of Chelsea's best moments, while Loftus-Cheek had an increasing influence the longer that the first half progressed. Brooks has been Bournemouth's best man, although Wilson remains the biggest threat.

KICKOFF:  We are back underway at Stamford Bridge.

Both sides are still trying to find their feet at the start of this second half. There were positives for both to take from the opening 45 minutes, but neither boss would have been happy with their defensive effort.

Still not much to report from the early stages in the second half. A reminder that if we remain level at full time, we will go straight to penalties.

We have already had 20 shots in this contest, however, and you would expect more of the same once the teams have settled again. There are plenty of options on both benches.

SUBSTITUTION! Sarri does not hang about with his first alteration. Pedro has been introduced for Willian. That must have been pre-planned.

OFF THE POST!  So close for Chelsea! Loftus-Cheek looks so powerful when he runs with the ball and he does so here, getting past two players before striking the post with a low effort.

YELLOW CARD!  The first caution of the evening goes to Stanislas for a late challenge.

YELLOW CARD!  Fabregas follows the Bournemouth man into the book. It has not been a dirty game in the slightest, but maybe we will see more mistimed tackles the longer that this match continues.

SUBSTITUTION! Chelsea make a second change and we are going to see Hazard, who takes the place of Barkley.

SUBSTITUTION! Bournemouth boss Howe follows suit by introducing Fraser for Stanislas.

YELLOW CARD!  Bournemouth youngster Simpson picks up a yellow card for tugging the shirt of Hazard. The flow of this game has disappeared for the time being. That probably suits the visitors.

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SHOT!  Fabregas attempts an ambitious effort from the edge of the area, only for his shot to go well off target.

The tension and frustration is certainly building at Stamford Bridge. Bournemouth aren't offering much in an attacking sense right now, but they are doing enough to nullify Chelsea at the other end.

SHOT!  A brief break from defending for Bournemouth as they get the ball into the opposite final third but Fraser's attempt - like Fabregas's - does not trouble the goal.

SHOT!  Chelsea are soon back on the attack but Hazard fires over despite being found in space on the edge of the area.

SUBSTITUTION! Bournemouth make a second alteration as King comes on for Mousset.

Wilson has not seen much of the ball in this second half and on this occasion, he sees his shot from 20 yards deflected wide for a corner. The set piece came to nothing.

The quality has been lacking from both teams in this second half. It is getting to that stage where it will take something special for us not to go to penalties.

CHANCE!  Better from Chelsea who break forward after Bournemouth fail to make the most of the ball at the other end. Hazard finally gets the chance to shoot, but Boruc makes yet another fine save. He has rolled back the years tonight!

SUBSTITUTION! Bit of a weird change from Sarri who sends on Luiz in place of Christensen. The Dane surely has a knock.

GOAL!  Chelsea 1-0 Bournemouth (Eden Hazard)

Chelsea take the lead but there is a huge element of luck to it. Hazard was able to get a shot away inside the area, but his effort took a huge deflection on the way to beating the unfortunate Boruc.

What have Bournemouth got left? They have done so well to keep things goalless, but now they have to react. Don't be surprised to see Defoe enter the fray.

Kovacic finds himself in an advanced position, despite the state of the game. The loanee makes good connection with his shot, but a Bournemouth defender makes a fine block.

SUBSTITUTION! Here comes Defoe, who takes the place of Brooks.

There will be four minutes of added-on time.

CHANCE!  Chelsea look more likely to find a second than Bournemouth score an equaliser. Palmieri and Giroud should both put Chelsea out of sight but on both occasions, Boruc made brilliant saves. The Pole will undoubtedly be picking up the Man of the Match award.

FULL TIME:  Chelsea 1-0 Bournemouth

The full-time whistle goes at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea are through to the EFL Cup semi-finals with a hard-fought win. Hazard's goal six minutes from time made the difference, and the Blues now join Manchester City, Burton Albion and Tottenham Hotspur in the last four.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this evening and we hope to see you again soon.

If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.