Chelsea vs Morecambe Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2024-25 English FA Cup | Third Round
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One of the biggest mismatches in the third round of the FA Cup this weekend takes place at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea welcome League Two strugglers Morecambe to west London.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 11th January, 2025: UK – 3:00pm / US ET – 10:00am / US PT – 7:00am
How to watch on TV: UK – Not Televised / US – ESPN+
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – ESPN+
Chelsea Preview: Need a performance
Chelsea have been genuinely impressive this season, despite their confusing off-field transfer strategies, as they launch themselves towards the top end of the Premier League table but the Blues have endured a wobble over the festive period and the New Year.
They come into this one on the back of a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park last weekend which came on the back of back-to-back defeats against Fulham and Ipswich Town, following on from a frustrating goalless draw with Everton before Christmas.
Morecambe Preview: Big day out
Off-field issues have been a major thing to overcome at Morecambe in recent years and the Lancastrians remain in a vulnerable position away from the pitch as the Shrimpers try and battle against relegation back down to non-league this season.
Derek Adams, something of a club legend, is their best hope of masterminding their survival. The Scot leads a Morecambe side that come into this one on the back of a 2-0 defeat of Tranmere Rovers on New Year’s Day to mean they have won two of their last three matches.
Chelsea Team News: Potential James start
Club captain Reece James is known for his injury issues but he has been back in the squad of late as was ‘ready for minutes’ last week so could well start this weekend. They remain without the likes of Wesley Fofana and Mykhaylo Mudryk.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; James, Acheampong, Disasi, Veiga; Caicedo, Veiga; Madueke, Nkunku, Felix; Guiu
Unavailable: Fofana (Injured), Badiashile (Injured), Dewsbury-Hall (Injured), Kellyman (Injured), Mudryk (Disciplinary)
Questionable: Lavia (Fitness), Chukwuemeka (Illness)
Morecambe Team News: Small but fit squad
Morecambe have one of the smallest squads in the EFL, and it has been made even smaller in the first week of the January transfer window with the departure of Charlie Brown to Accrington Stanley, but they do not have any reported injury issues ahead of this one.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Burgoyne; Hendrie, Williams, Stott, Tutonda; White, Jones; Tollitt, Songo’o, Edwards; Dackers
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Chelsea vs Morecambe Prediction
Chelsea could do with a performance given their recent results. Enzo Maresca has split his squad into an A and B team with the UEFA Europa Conference League side likely to be fielded in this one with the likes of Christopher Nkunku, Joao Felix and Marc Guiu. They now face a Morecambe side that will look to frustrate and sit deep at Stamford Bridge but the Blues are still expected to rack up a score here.
Chelsea vs Morecambe Tip: Chelsea to win -3 handicap
