Chelsea FC continue defense of their FA Cup title tomorrow by hosting Sheffield Wednesday at Stamford Bridge for a fourth round clash. The current holders will host a Championship side that has won this specific tournament three times. The Owls currently reside 16th in the 24 team table, having finished 15th in the second tier of English football last season.
They are massive underdogs in this clash and that’s understandable given how the Blues have had no issues taking care of teams from lower divisions this season. The west London side has certainly had their ups and downs against top flight competition this term, but versus the smaller clubs they have been utterly dominant.
Striker Gonzalo Higuain looks set to make his Blues debut after joining on loan for the rest of the season from Juventus in midweek. In terms of major injury concerns, the only one is midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who remains out due to a severe a back problem.
For the visitors, Matt Penney will be out for quite some time after having just underwent shoulder surgery, but Fernando Forestieri could return to action having now recovered from injury.
The Bank Chelsea FC Starting XI Prediction 4-3-3
Forwards: Pedro, Gonzalo Higuain, Eden Hazard
Midfielders: Ross Barkley, Jorginho, N’Golo Kante
Defenders: Marcos Alonso, David Luiz, Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta
Goalkeeper: Kepa Arrizabalaga
Sheffield Wednesday at Chelsea FA Cup 4th Round FYIs
Kickoff: Sunday, January 27, 6pm local, Stamford Bridge
Odds via Odds Checker: Chelsea 1/4, draw 13/2 Sheffield Wednesday 13/2
Chelsea to win the whole tournament 5/1
Prediction: Chelsea 3, Sheffield Wednesday 0
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.