Premier League leaders Chelsea make five changes to the side which started last weekend's home draw against Burnley.

Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech returns between the sticks after playing the earlier rounds before being replaced by Thibaut Courtois, who sits on the bench, for the semi-final.

Spain defender Cesar Azpilicueta returns at left-back in place of Felipe Luis, while England centre-back Gary Cahill appears to be set for a central midfield role.

Ramires also joins him in the centre, with Nemanja Matic (suspended) and Oscar dropping out. Brazil attacking midfielder Willian also gets the nod ahead of recent £24m signing Juan Cuadrado.

Image source, PA

The atmosphere is building at Wembley but no one is ever going to convince me about the merits of half and half scarves. Just wrong.

Former Tottenham striker Garth Crooks
BBC Sport

"All the people I speak to at Spurs have told me that Harry Kane's transformation is down to the fact that his fitness levels have improved dramatically.

"Tim Sherwood talked to me 12 months before his debut at Spurs about this kid. He was impressed by Kane's work rate, and his ability to get into areas and go for goal. He works relentlessly. He wears you down. For defenders, that's a nightmare."

Image source, BBC/Opta

Chelsea know all about the damage Harry Kane can do - having found out at first hand on New Years Day.

Kane was Spurs' star, scoring two goals, setting up another and winning a penalty too as Spurs won 5-3.

More of the same would do the Lillywhites nicely this afternoon.

Everybody wants a goal scorer don't they? Well, we have two of the best in England this season on show this afternoon - albeit they've come via slightly different routes.

Diego Costa signed for Chelsea for £32m in the summer for and has scored 17 goals in 29 appearances.

While Harry Kane has burst on the scene at Spurs, after loan spells at Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich and Leicester, and scored 24 goals in 37 appearances.

It would take a brave man to bet against one of these two scoring.

Today we're asking for your League Cup final memories. Be it a favourite goal, a result or a more personal memory.

Mark Hainsworth: Birmingham City in 2011. The result didn't go our way, but the fans were incredible. Never been prouder to support my team.

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Bit of a surprise there. Gary Cahill in centre midfield?

It is more usual seeing defensive midfielders move the other way but the likes of Jamie Carragher, Ledley King and Vincent Kompany have all been pushed forward to good effect in the past.

Veteran goalkeeper Petr Cech is given the nod by Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho ahead of rival Thibaut Courtois. Centre-back Gary Cahill looks set to start in an unfamiliar midfield role in the absence of suspended Nemanja Matic.

Chelsea XI: Cech, Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry, Azpilicueta, Ramires, Cahill, Fabregas, Willian, Diego Costa, Hazard.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Lots of attention focusing on Tottenham's man of the moment Harry Kane ahead of the Capital One Cup Final with Chelsea at Wembley today.

The 21-year-old's career has been something of a slow burner with loan spells at Millwall, Orient, Leicester City and Norwich - but FA director of elite development Dan Ashworth has watched his development through the ranks for club and country and is delighted with his progress.

He said: "I think it proves that you don't have to burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old and be in the first team from that very early age. And it's lovely to see players have a different route through and it's certainly lovely to see someone like Harry, who's such a wonderful kid as well - a man now.

"He's a great person, he's a serious professional, he works so hard whenever he's been away with England and he's been in the system for quite a long time as well. We've been patient with him and Tottenham have been patient with him and he looks like he's in a really good place at the moment, scoring goals in a really successful team and a top team."

Image source, Reuters

In-form striker Harry Kane, as expected, is restored to the Spurs line-up after starting as a substitute in the Europa League defeat at Fiorentina.

Spurs XI: Lloris, Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Rose, Bentaleb, Mason, Chadli, Eriksen, Townsend, Kane.

Image source, @chelseafc

Chelsea FC, external on Twitter: "Filipe Luis and Oscar inspect the pitch shortly after arrival."

Couple of things of note in this picture - firstly that Oscar's got his shirt untucked. On cup final day? Another sign clubs don't take the League Cup seriously? And secondly, they're pointing at something of interest up in the stands, but seem to be fine with that giant floating ball on the pitch...

Tottenham and Chelsea are no strangers to League Cup success.

Both have lifted the trophy four times in the past and, whoever wins today, will move alongside Aston Villa at second in the all-time list of winners.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has already won this competition twice with the Blues.

There is still some way to go to catch Liverpool's eight mind.

The teams have arrived. Both teams are suited and booted for the occasion with some natty little waist coats being sported by the Chelsea players. It is a more traditional jacket and trousers look for Spurs.

Today we're asking for your League Cup final memories. Be it a favourite goal, a result or a more personal memory.

Phil, Preston: Blackburn Rovers beating Spurs 2-1 as heavy underdogs in 2002. Andy Cole paid back every penny of his £7m transfer fee with one shot! What a day!

Brandon, Bradford: Best League Cup memory for me was last year... Manchester City lethargic, Yaya Toure shocking... Then he hit an absolute firecracker into the Wembley goal!

Get in touch using #bbcfootball, external on Twitter or drop us a line on the BBC Sport Facebook, external or Google+ page., external

You can also text us on 81111 in the UK only - but please don't forget to add your name and location.

Chelsea have put out 31,000 flags for their fans at Wembley today. Hopefully it will only be the supporters that are flagging...

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson
Football Focus

"Chelsea can overcome the absence of Nemanja Matic today. You are talking about a top player but Chelsea have so many great players. If Matic was creating all the chances, or if he was somebody like Diego Costa, then maybe it would be more significant, but with a replacement like Ramires they have enough in their team to beat Tottenham."

Former England defender Danny Mills
Football Focus

"Tottenham were phenomenal when they beat Chelsea 5-3 in the league on New Year's Day. They surprised everyone. They scored some fantastic goals. They were bright and sharp. They've got to approach the game in the same way and attack Chelsea.

"Nemanja Matic being out is a huge plus for Tottenham. He provides a shield in front of the back four. John Obi Mikel is probably injured as well, so it might be Ramires, it could be Fabregas. It could be a bit of a makeshift guard in front of John Terry and Gary Cahill. It's a great opportunity for Tottenham against a very slightly weakened Chelsea side."

A quick glance at Chelsea's results without Nemanja Matic anchoring the midfield suggest the Blues might have a bit of a problem.

Without him they have lost two out of three - including a humiliating FA Cup defeat to Bradford - while with him they have lost just once in 25.

Matic has made the most tackles in the Premier League this season but, as far as Robbie Savage is concerned, the Blues are still the favourites.

Read what he has to say here.

One player who won't be gracing the hallowed turf is Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic.

The 26-year-old Serb is serving a two-match ban for reacting to a high tackle from Ashley Barnes in last weekend's draw with Burnley.

You might have heard about it? If you haven't where have you been?