This is a Chelsea predicted lineup for their FA Cup third-round contest with Preston North End. The Blues are coming into this off the back of two Premier League wins and will be hoping to progress in the cup against lower-league opposition.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Preston North End in FA Cup Third Round
Watch: How Everton’s point deduction could impact Chelsea and Manchester City
How Chelsea Lined Up Recently
Djordje Petrović has been the starting goalkeeper in the absence of Robert Sanchez. The back line has shifted around a bit with Levi Colwill, Malo Gusto, Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi, and Thiago Silva starting in defensive positions.
Moises Caicedo and Conor Gallagher have become the go-to defensive midfield pairing to start matches. Ahead of them, we have seen Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson, Armando Broja, Raheem Sterling, Christopher Nkunku, and Mykhailo Mudryk starting in the front four.
Chelsea Recent Form and Tactics
The 4-2-3-1 remains with Mauricio Pochettino remaining tied to the formation as his base. The setup does at times switch to more of a 4-4-2 but the starting setup is the 4-2-3-1 lineup. Results have been much better with four wins in their last five games including a penalty shootout victory over Newcastle in the Carabao Cup.
The defence is still posing a problem with the recent stretch of matches seeing them keep just one clean sheet with Luton Town even putting two past the Blues’ defenders. Thankfully, the goal drought is less of an issue with the side scoring nine times in that spell.
Chelsea Injuries to Consider
As has become the norm the injury report features a lengthy list of names. There are ten players who are ruled out due to different fitness issues including Carney Chukwuemeka, Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Badiashile, Sanchez, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella, Romeo Lavia, and Lesley Ugochukwu.
Starting striker Jackson is also unavailable as he is representing Senegal at the African Cup of Nations. In addition, the manager has confirmed that Nkunku won’t start after picking up an issue in training.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup
Pochettino has suggested that there will only be “one or two” new faces that aren’t generally in his starting eleven, which almost picks itself with how limited his options have been. Andrey Santos could be in line to play after being recalled, as could Alfie Gilchrist after his recent cameos.
GK – Djordje Petrović
LB – Levi Colwill
CB – Axel Disasi
CB – Thiago Silva
RB – Alfie Gilchrist
DM – Moises Caicedo
DM – Andrey Santos
AM – Raheem Sterling
AM – Cole Palmer
AM – Mykhailo Mudryk
ST – Armando Broja
