Chelsea begin their 2024/25 FA Cup journey with a third round matchup against League Two side Morecambe on Saturday.
The Blues were in the Premier League title mix for a second, but have fallen behind in the race thanks to four straight games without a win.
They will hope a chance to blast a struggling lower league club will be a good opportunity not only to turn the momentum, but to rotate the squad as well and give minutes to fringe players who are itching for minutes.
Morecambe have had a difficult season, as they sit in the relegation zone, in danger of dropping out of the Football League altogether. Their 20 points from 24 games have them 23rd in the standings out of 24 teams.
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Chelsea vs. Morecambe lineups, predicted starting 11, team news
It's highly likely that Chelsea will rotate their squad to rest some regulars and give some fringe players a chance against their League Two opponents. As such, it's impossible to know for sure who might see the field and who could get rotated out.
The lineup could look similar to their early-round EFL Cup match against Barrow, when Filip Jorgensen started in goal and Joao Felix played alongside Christopher Nkunku up front. Marc Guiu could also get a chance to shine up front.
The only restriction for the Blues could be that they might not wish to risk players who are on their way out this winter. Carney Chukwuemeka, Ben Chilwell, Cesare Casadei, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are all thought likely to head out this month.
Chelsea predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Jorgensen (GK) — Veiga, Colwill, Disasi, Gusto — Casadei, Dewsbury-Hall — Sancho, Felix, Neto — Guiu.
Injured: Badiashile (muscle), Chukwuemeka (ill), Dewsbury-Hall (knock), Lavia (hamstring), Fofana (hamstring).
Suspended: Mudryk (doping test).
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Morecambe have a couple of Liverpool youth players on the books for this season. Defender Rhys Williams is the club's most valuable player, there on loan, while left-back Adam Lewis arrived by free transfer as well. The latter has lost his starting job of late to David Tutonda.
A pair of new arrivals from Oldham Athletic have done the business up front for Morecambe this season, as Ben Tollitt and Hallam Hope combining for 12 goals between the two.
Morecambe predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Burgoyne (GK) — Hendrie, R. Williams, Stott, Tutonda — T. White, C. Jones — Tollitt, Songo'o, Edwards — Dackers.
Injured: None.
Suspended: None.
Chelsea vs. Morecambe live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this FA Cup third round match across selected areas of the world's major regions:
| Date | Time | TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | Sat, Jan. 11 | 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT | — | ESPN+ |
| Canada | Sat, Jan. 11 | 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT | Sportsnet | Sportsnet Now |
| UK | Sat, Jan. 11 | 3 p.m. GMT | — | — |
| Australia | Sun, Jan. 12 | 2 a.m. ADST | — | Optus Sport |
| India | Sat, Jan. 11 | 9 p.m. IST | Sony TEN 2 | Sony LIV, JioTV |
