Premier League giants Chelsea host League Two strugglers Morecambe in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, and we’ve got the latest team news and predicted lineups included in our preview ahead of the action.
Chelsea vs Morecambe FA Cup Preview
Out-of-form Chelsea welcome League Two relegation battlers Morecambe to Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup third round on Saturday afternoon, where the Blues will be looking to bring an end to their four-game winless run.
Since beating Shamrock Rovers 5-1 in their final Conference League league phase tie just over three weeks ago, Enzo Maresca’s side have drawn with Everton and Crystal Palace and have suffered defeats to Fulham and Ipswich.
Last time out, against Palace, they led for close to 70 minutes before conceding late on to draw 1-1. The result saw them drop down to fourth place in the Premier League table, now 10 points adrift of leaders Liverpool and four points behind second and third place sides Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.
Chelsea are among the most successful clubs in history when it comes to the FA Cup, winning the iconic competition an impressive eight times, most recently in 2017/18. Last season, they were eliminated in the semi-finals by Manchester City.
Up next, our #EmiratesFACup journey begins at Stamford Bridge! 🏡 pic.twitter.com/IMNDtXfBzr
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 8, 2025
Morecambe, meanwhile, have never advanced beyond the third round of the competition, reaching this stage of the cup for a second successive season, having beaten Worthing in the first round and Bradford in the second round.
Derek Adams’ side are currently in a relegation battle in the fourth-tier, four points from safety in 23rd place, but despite this, they have won two of their last three league matches. This includes a 1-0 win over bottom of the table Carlisle and, last time out, a 2-0 win over 20th place Tranmere Rovers.
Saturday’s clash will be just the second time that the Shrimps have faced off against Chelsea in competitive play. Their first meeting came in the FA Cup third round back in 2021, where the Blues ran out as comfortable 4-0 victors.
Chelsea Team News
The hosts are without all of Wesley Fofana (thigh), Benoit Badiashile (thigh), Mykhailo Mudryk (suspended), Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (unspecified) and Omari Kellyman (thigh) for Morecambe’s visit.
Carney Chukwuemeka (illness) and Romeo Lavia (thigh) are also doubts but could return in time for the fixture.
Maresca is expected to make wholesale changes to his lineup, so regular starters such as Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella and Robert Sanchez will all likely be rested.
Morecambe Team News
As for the visitors, Lee Angol, Stuart Moore, Harvey Macadam, Paul Lewis and George Ray were all ruled out of their postponed League Two fixture against Newport last weekend, leaving them as doubts for the trip to West London.
After over a month out injured, Welsh winger Gwion Edwards made his return to the Shrimps lineup against Carlisle on Boxing Day, marking his comeback with a goal. He has since started against both Salford and Tranmere and should therefore be in line for a fourth straight start, likely joined in attack by Ben Tollitt and Marcus Dackers.
Chelsea vs Morecambe Predicted Lineups
Chelsea Predicted Lineup:
Jorgensen; Disasi, Acheampong, Tosin, Veiga; Rak-Sakyi, Casadei; Madueke, Nkunku, George; Guiu
Morecambe Predicted Lineup:
Burgoyne; Hendrie, Williams, Stott, Tutonda; White, Jones; Tollitt, Songo’o, Edwards; Dackers
Chelsea vs Morecambe Prediction
The UK’s best football betting sites have Chelsea as massive 1/33 favourites heading into this one, and unsurprisingly, we’re predicting the Blues to book their spot in the fourth round with a comfortable win.
Of course, Chelsea have been in poor form over the last three weeks or so, however they should be able to secure a much-needed win against a struggling fourth-tier side that have won just five games all season.
Prediction: Chelsea 5-0 Morecambe
