Are you ready for Chelsea Preston? We’re not talking about the actress Chelsea Preston, known for Station Eleven and The Hot Zone. We mean Chelsea FC vs Preston North End. Yes, the oldest domestic football competition in the world, dating back to 1871-72, gets going in full this weekend. What a way to get the New Year going, right?
This is a round that has been very rough for Preston, as they have been eliminated at this exact stage in six of the last eight tournaments.
FA Cup Third Round FYIs
Chelsea FC vs Preston
Kick: Sat. Jan. 6, 2024, 5:30pm, Stamford Bridge, London, UK
Chelsea Preview Material: Team News Starting XI Prediction
Book on the Premier League authored by The Sports Bank Founder Paul M. Banks: go here
Fun Fact: In 2023, Chelsea FC broke the all-time spending records for both the winter and summer transfer windows
It’s also worth noting, since this is a Premier League versus Championship side match-up, how Chelsea are unbeaten in their past 27 cup games against lower-league opposition. Barring a major shocking upset, you kind of know who is going to win here.
So with that in mind, let’s look at the lineup prediction, which should be remarkably similar to the kinds of Chelsea lineups we’ve seen in the League Cup this season.
That means, while yes, there will be some squad rotation here, you will also see a few of the regular starters in there. We may have to replace Ian Maatsen from this lineup prediction later, if his move to Borussia Dortmund goes through in time. It’s only in the opening stages of conversation right now.
Chelsea FC Starting XI Prediction vs Preston
Marcus Bettinelli; Ian Maatsen, Axel Disasi, Levi Colwill, Malo Gusto; Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo; Noni Madueke, Alfie Gilchrist, Mykhailo Mudryk; Christopher Nkunku
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now, while writing for the International Baseball Writers Association of America. You can follow the website on Twitter.