---

January 4, 2024

Chelsea vs Preston: Lineup, Injuries, Head-to-Head, and Broadcast

Preston to Visit Stamford Bridge for FA Cup Tie

Here’s an expanded version of the provided text:

Chelsea have seen a resurgence in form, with four wins from their last five matches. This improvement comes after a challenging period in which the Blues suffered back-to-back defeats to Manchester United and Everton. In their most recent game, Chelsea narrowly defeated Luton Town 3-2, demonstrating their ability to bounce back from setbacks. As they prepare for the FA Cup third-round clash against Preston North End, Chelsea’s schedule will include an EFL Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough, adding further significance to their current fixtures.

Preston North End, sitting 14th in the EFL Championship, will travel to Stamford Bridge amidst a challenging phase. They are visiting Chelsea during a period where the Blues have maintained an impressive six-match unbeaten streak at home. Under the management of Ryan Lowe, Preston North End has struggled recently, which is evident from their recent defeats and overall inconsistent performance. The team has lost their last two matches. It is facing a challenging environment at Stamford Bridge, which could further test its resilience.

Kick-Off: Saturday, 6 January 2024 at 5:30 PM UK (11:00 PM IST)

Location: Stamford Bridge

Form:

• Chelsea (all competitions): W-W-L-W-W
• Preston North End (all competitions): L-L-W-L-L

Players to Watch

• Cole Palmer (Chelsea): Cole Palmer has been a standout performer for Chelsea in recent matches. In their thrilling 3-2 victory over Luton Town, Palmer played a pivotal role by scoring twice and assisting Noni Madueke’s goal. His impressive contributions have brought his season tally to 8 goals and 4 assists from just 17 Premier League appearances. Palmer’s creative flair and finishing ability make him a crucial asset in Chelsea’s attacking lineup, and his form will be essential as the Blues look to continue their strong performances across competitions.

• Liam Millar (Preston North End): Liam Millar, the Canadian winger currently on loan from FC Basel, has been an influential figure for Preston North End this season. Playing 20 matches in the EFL Championship, Millar has notched up 4 assists and 3 goals, showcasing his ability to impact crucial moments. His pace and dribbling on the left flank have made him a constant threat to opposition defenses. As Preston faces Chelsea, Millar’s ability to create opportunities and drive forward could be pivotal for the visitors in breaking down the Blues’ defense.

Match Facts

• Chelsea lost to Manchester City in the third round of the FA Cup last year.
• Chelsea won four in their previous five matches, while Preston secured just one victory.
• Chelsea has won all three FA Cup encounters between the two sides.

Injury & Team News

Chelsea’s injury list includes goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella, Reece James, Lesley Ugochukwu, Trevor Chalobah, and Romeo Lavia. The team has significantly improved with Carney Chukwuemeka and Ben Chilwell returning to training. However, they still face challenges with a lengthy injury list.

Preston North End also have a couple of key absentees. Midfielder Robbie Brady is sidelined with a calf injury, and center-back Jack Whatmough is out with a knee issue.

Head to Head

• Total Matches: 15
• Chelsea Wins: 9
• Preston North End Wins: 1
• Draws: 5

Predicted Lineups

• Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Bettinelli (GK); Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Maatsen; Caicedo, Fernandez; Sterling, Palmer, Jackson; Broja
• Preston North End (4-1-4-1): Woodman (GK); Potts, Storey, Lindsay, Hughes; McCann; Browne, Whiteman, Frøkjær-Jensen, Millar; Evans

Match Prediction

Preston North End are facing Chelsea during a challenging period. The visitors are on a goalless streak, having failed to score in their last two matches. This could further hinder their performance in this challenging away fixture.

On the other hand, Chelsea are in impressive form, having gone unbeaten in their last six home games. Their recent performances show a resurgence in form, with key players like Cole Palmer making significant contributions. Despite having several key players sidelined with injuries, Chelsea’s depth and quality in the squad should provide them with enough strength to handle the challenge posed by Preston.

The Blues’ strong home record and recent upturn in performances suggest they will have the upper hand in this FA Cup clash. Preston North End’s current struggles and the harsh environment at Stamford Bridge mean they will likely face a tough match.

Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Preston North End

Broadcast Information

• India: Sony Sports
• UK: BBC, ITV
• US: ESPN
• Nigeria: Supersport

Be your team’s biggest fan! Explore our site to show them how much you believe in them.

Football News Today | La Liga 2 | Saudi Pro League | Major League Soccer | J League | EFL Championship | Brazilian Serie A