Chelsea vs Port Vale Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 English FA Cup | Quarter-Final
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One of the biggest mis-matches in FA Cup quarter-final history pits Chelsea against Port Vale, who are rock-bottom in League One, at Stamford Bridge this weekend.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – BBC & TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer & HBO Max / USA – ESPN+
Chelsea preview: Under pressure Rosenior
Chelsea are in very average form ahead of this weekend's round of fixtures as they sit outside the top five and the extended UEFA Champions League spots in the Premier League, with the Blues in recent form in the last few months.
Chelsea most recently suffered a 3-0 hammering at the hands of Everton to mean they have now suffered four successive losses, including an 8-2 aggregate defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League.
Port Vale preview: L1's basement club giant killers
Port Vale pulled off a major upset in the fifth round of the FA Cup a few weeks ago as the Valiants defeated Premier League side Sunderland by a goal to nil, courtesy of a winner scored by New Zealand international striker Ben Waine.
Port Vale are rock-bottom in League One and they are now 14 points adrift of safety with just eight games to go. They were hammered 4-0 by Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park last weekend.
Chelsea team news: James a doubt
Club captain Reece James missed out on the international break due to injury but he could return quite soon, while his England teammate Trevoh Chalobah is expected to be sidelined until early May.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Adarabioyo, Hato; Lavia, Caicedo; Estevao, Palmer, Garnacho; Delap
Unavailable: Jorgensen (Injured), Colwill (Injured), Chalobah (Injured), Gittens (Injured), Mudryk (Disciplinary)
Questionable: Badiashile (Injured), James (Injured)
Port Vale team news: Fully fit Vale
Former Norwich City winger Onel Hernandez has begun to reach full fitness after joining on a short-term deal in February. There don’t appear to be any fresh injury concerns or suspension issues for Vale.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Gauci; John, Humphreys, Hall; Gabriel, Walters, Ojo, Gordon; Brown, Waine, Archer
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Chelsea vs Port Vale prediction
Chelsea will be expected to get themselves a comfortable win here. Liam Rosenior is under pressure but the former Strasbourg boss has been able to manage victories over other EFL sides Charlton Athletic, Hull City and Wrexham. Jon Brady and his Port Vale side will aim to make things frustrating for the hosts but it will be a damage limitation job in west London.
Chelsea vs Port Vale tip: Chelsea to win & under 4.5 goals
