Chelsea vs Preston Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 English FA Cup | Third Round
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is Chelsea vs Preston on and what time does it start? Chelsea vs Preston will take place on Saturday 6th January, 2024 – 17:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Chelsea vs Preston? Visit each team’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Chelsea vs Preston on in the UK? BBC and ITV share the rights to FA Cup matches so it is worth checking their schedules for Chelsea vs Preston
Where can I stream Chelsea vs Preston in the UK? If televised on BBC, Chelsea vs Preston can be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app. If televised on ITV, the match can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
CHELSEA
On Tuesday evening, Chelsea will play the first of their EFL Cup semi-final legs against Middlesbrough with Mauricio Pochettino keen on winning his first piece of silverware in English football. The former Tottenham and Southampton boss has led The Blues to a very bizarre and inconsistent campaign this season with some excellent performances but generally poor results on the whole.
The Blues went into the New Year on the back of a much-needed and eventually hard-fought 3-2 defeat of Luton Town at Kenilworth Road in their most recent outing. That made it back-to-back victories for The Pensioners and they have suffered just one defeat in their last five matches across all competitions.
PRESTON
Ryan Lowe is coming under fairly intense pressure in Lancashire with Preston North End supporters unhappy with both results and the general style of football that has been implemented at Deepdale. The Whites began the season as if they were going to be automatic promotion contenders but have soon slipped down into the bottom-half.
In fact, they have played 26 matches so far this season in the Championship and collected 35 points. They managed to get 20 of those 35 points in their opening eight matches, though. So, over the last 19 matches in the second-tier, Preston have averaged 0.79 points per game and are fortunate to have started so well to avoid a genuine relegation battle at this stage.
THE TEAM NEWS
CHELSEA
Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka have returned to full first-team training with Chelsea but both are just in the reconditioning phase of the entire recooperation so are unlikely to feature this weekend.
The likes of Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Romeo Lavia, Robert Sanchez and Lesley Ugochukwu all remain unavailable for this weekend, whilst Trevoh Chalobah and Benoit Badiashile are at a similar stage to Chilwell and Chukwuemeka.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Gallagher, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Jackson; Broja
UNAVAILABLE: Cucurella (Injured), Fofana (Injured), James (Injured), Lavia (Injured), Ugochukwu (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Chilwell (Injured), Chalobah (Injured), Badiashile (Injured), Chukwuemeka (Injured)
PRESTON
Ryan Lowe could name an unchanged side from Preston’s aforementioned 2-0 loss to Sunderland for this weekend’s trip to the capital with no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues.
The former Plymouth boss remains without key defender Jack Whatmough but, aside from that, he has been able to welcome back former Norwich winger Robbie Brady, after the Irishman missed most of the festive period due to an injury he sustained against Swansea before Christmas.
PREDICTED XI (4-1-4-1): Woodman; Potts, Storey, Lindsay, Hughes; McCann; Browne, Whiteman, Frokjaer-Jensen, Millar; Evans
UNAVAILABLE: Whatmough (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Brady (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
Chelsea can’t necessarily be trusted that much nowadays but their EFL Cup run began with a couple of games such as these against lower league opposition at Stamford Bridge and Pochettino’s side were generally untroubled but have improved anyhow. Preston must focus on arresting their league form with Ryan Lowe surely not far away from being pushed through the exit door. A heavy home win is to be expected on Saturday afternoon.
TIP: CHELSEA TO WIN -1 HANDICAP
