League Cup preview: Chelsea, Arsenal in last 16 action

The fourth round of the Capital One Cup kicks off on Tuesday, with six Premier League teams in action.

[ MORE: Follow League Cup scores live ]

League Cup holders Chelsea make the tricky trip to Stoke (save the ‘but can they do it on a cold Tuesday night in Stoke’ jokes, please) and Arsenal travel to in-form Sheffield Wednesday even though the manager of the Owls believes his second-tier side only have a“10 percent chance” of beating the Gunners.

Everton host fellow PL side Norwich City, while red-hot Leicester City head to recently relegated Hull City who are second in the Championship as Steve Bruce‘s side search for an immediate return to the top-flight.

Below is a brief preview on each game, while you can click on the link above to follow all the scores live.

Stoke City vs. Chelsea – 3:45 p.m. ET

Stoke will be without USMNT center back Geoff Cameron after he suffered a thigh strain in the defeat by Watford. Mark Hughes lauded Cameron’s form this season, and without him his side will have to improve defensively (Ryan Shawcross could return) even though they are facing a Chelsea side in turmoil. On Saturday the Blues lost to West Ham, marking their fifth defeat in 10 PL games this season. With Jose Mourinho sent to the stands and charged by the FA, again, for allegedly confronting the officials at half time, is the Portuguese close to being fired? Surely he should be given time to turn this awful situation around?

Sheffield Wednesday vs. Arsenal – 3:45 p.m. ET

It’s been a long, tough but “perfect” week for Arsene Wenger and the Gunners. With fours wins on the spin — three in the PL and a vital UEFA Champions League victory at home to Bayern Munich — Arsenal are the heavy favorites but Wednesday are unbeaten in eight and with a fired up crowd in Yorkshire, who knows what might happen? Expect Wenger to play some of his reserve players and a few youngsters to get a spot on the bench.

Everton vs. Norwich City – 3:45 p.m. ET

The Toffees will start Joel Robles in goal, like they have done for cup games this season, but after Tim Howard’s tough outing against Arsenal on Saturday many are calling for the USMNT star to be dropped by Roberto Martinez. While Everton look to seal a spot in the quarterfinals, Norwich only really care about Premier League survival. Alex Neil’s side are finding it tough going in the PL and have lost three-straight games as they sink towards the relegation zone. Expect much-changed lineups from both teams.

Hull City vs. Leicester City – 3:45 p.m. ET

It seems like Claudio Ranieri’s Foxes are unstoppable, particularly Jamie Vardy, right now.Fifth in the PL with just one defeat all season and Vardy bagging 10 goals in for a resilient outfit who never know when they’re beaten, what could go wrong away at a second-tier team? Well, Ranieri is likely to rotate the entire starting lineup and in opponents Hull they are facing a team with Premier League pedigree. Bruce has managed to keep most of his squad together and the Tigers are at the top of the Championship as they aim to get back to the PL at the first attempt. This will be a tough game for Leicester.

Credits: NBC Sports.