Chelsea is set to kick off their 2024/25 FA Cup campaign with a third-round tie against League Two side Morecambe at Stamford Bridge. The Blues are eager to turn their fortunes around after a challenging run of form, and this fixture presents a prime opportunity to regain momentum. Morecambe, struggling near the bottom of League Two, faces a daunting challenge in taking on one of English football’s elite.
Form and Context
Chelsea, led by Enzo Maresca, has been winless in its last four outings across all competitions. A combination of post-holiday fatigue and tough opposition has left them searching for form. Despite this, their talent-laden squad is expected to deliver a commanding performance against Morecambe, a team that has found life in League Two particularly difficult this season.
This matchup rekindles memories of the FA Cup third-round clash between the sides in the 2020/21 season when Chelsea cruised to a 4-0 victory. While much has changed since that meeting, the expectations remain firmly in Chelsea’s favor.
Key Match Details
- Date: Saturday, January 11, 2025
- Kick-off Time: 15:00 GMT / 10:00 ET / 07:00 PT
- Location: Stamford Bridge, London
- Referee: Andrew Kitchen
Predicted Lineups
Chelsea
In light of upcoming league commitments and ongoing injury concerns, Chelsea is expected to rotate heavily. Defensive absentees include Wesley Fofana and Benoît Badiashile, while midfield reinforcements such as Romeo Lavia may return. Mykhailo Mudryk, Carney Chukwuemeka, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall remain sidelined, and Ben Chilwell is seeking a move away.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; Acheampong, Disasi, Adarabioyo, Veiga; Rak-Sakyi, Lavia; Madueke, Nkunku, George; Guiu.
Morecambe
Morecambe manager Derek Adams will rely on a compact, disciplined setup to frustrate Chelsea. However, their porous defense and lack of firepower may leave them vulnerable. Ben Tollitt, their standout performer with eight goals this season, represents their best chance of scoring.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Burgoyne; Hendrie, Williams, Stott, Tutonda; White, Jones; Tollitt, Songo’o, Edwards; Dackers.
Score Prediction
Chelsea’s firepower, even with a second-string lineup, should be far too much for Morecambe to handle. The Blues have shown a penchant for dominating lower-league opposition, as evidenced by their high-scoring exploits in other competitions this season. Meanwhile, Morecambe’s defensive frailties make them susceptible to a heavy defeat.
Prediction: Chelsea 6-0 Morecambe
Chelsea’s quest for FA Cup glory is likely to begin with a resounding victory, setting the tone for their campaign and providing a much-needed confidence boost.