Chelsea vs Preston FA Cup predictions: Tips, odds and team news
Chelsea’s latest FA Cup campaign begins with a home tie against Championship side Preston on Saturday at 5:30pm (UK time).
Chelsea vs Preston odds
Chelsea in the Premier League haven’t been a fun follow for fans this season, but the Blues have given their supporters some happiness in the cup so far. Mauricio Pochettino’s side are in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup, and they’ll be dreaming of an FA Cup run to maximise their chances of qualifying for Europe. Chelsea were only recently in three successive FA Cup finals between 2020 and 2022, losing to Arsenal, Leicester and Liverpool respectively. But last season their journey ended at the first hurdle, drawn against Manchester City in the third round.
Preston, meanwhile, are focusing on their Championship play-off push, part of an extremely tight group fighting for the four spots. But that doesn’t mean fans won’t want a good run in the FA Cup, dreaming of a first victory since the 1930s. Preston have fallen at the third round in six of the last eight seasons, but they did make it to the fourth round last year, beating Huddersfield before losing to Tottenham.
North End are looking to become just the second lower league side to knock Chelsea out of the FA Cup in the last 15 seasons, after Phil Parkinson’s Bradford City famously came back from 2-0 down after 38 minutes at Stamford Bridge to win 4-2 in 2015. That result ended their chances of a famous domestic treble as Jose Mourinho’s side went on to win the Premier League and the League Cup and was their first home defeat of the season. In fact, Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 27 games against lower-league opposition across the FA Cup and EFL Cup, so will take a huge performance here to cause another upset.
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Chelsea vs Preston predictions
Chelsea vs Preston: Predictions |
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Bet | Prediction | Best odds |
BTTS? | Yes | 19/20 with Bet Goodwin |
Correct Score | Chelsea 3-1 Preston | 10/1 with Midnite |
First Goalscorer | Raheem Sterling | 9/2 with Betfred |
Odds correct at the time of writing. 18+ Only. Terms and Conditions Apply.
The stats behind our Chelsea vs Preston predictions:
- Raheem Sterling has scored four goals at Stamford Bridge this season.
- Chelsea are unbeaten in their past 27 cup games against lower-league opposition.
- Chelsea haven’t lost consecutive FA Cup third round matches since 1981.
- Preston have lost their last eight games against Premier League opposition.
Chelsea vs Preston match tip
Chelsea to win and BTTS @ 7/4 with Bet365
Chelsea are loving life in the cups right now, winning all four of their games in the EFL Cup so far this season, all of which have come at Stamford Bridge. Two of those also came against lower-league opposition in AFC Wimbledon and Blackburn, extending Chelsea’s unbeaten run against non-Premier League sides in domestic cups to 27 matches. However, their defence has been a bit rocky so Preston might fancy themselves to find the net.
Chelsea vs Preston team news
Chelsea team news |
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In | Out | Doubtful |
– | Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez, Trevoh Chalobah, Carney Chukwuemeka, Nicolas Jackson | Enzo Fernandez, Ben Chilwell |
Nicolas Jackson has linked up with Senegal for the Africa Cup of Nations, which starts on January 13th. Ben Chilwell could be in line to return from injury, but the likes of Reece James, Marc Cucurella and Robert Sanchez are all still out.
Preston team news |
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In | Out | Doubtful |
– | Robert Brady | – |
Robert Brady is Preston’s only confirmed absentee for the trip to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea vs Preston head-to-head record
- 23 January 2010 – Preston 0-2 Chelsea – FA Cup
- 17 February 2002 – Chelsea 3-1 Preston – FA Cup
- 28 February 1981 – Preston 1-0 Chelsea – Division Two
- 20 September 1980 – Chelsea 1-1 Preston – Division Two
- 12 April 1980 – Preston 1-1 Chelsea – Division Two
Games between these two sides have been few and far between of late, with Chelsea winning the two FA Cup meetings this century. Preston’s only victory in the last 15 games against Chelsea came in the second flight in February 1981, which ended a 12-game winless run.
Chelsea vs Preston Squawka Says
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