Chelsea vs Morecambe: Preview, predictions and lineups | OneFootball

Chelsea start their 2024/25 FA Cup campaign with a visit from League Two outfit Morecambe in the third round.

Enzo Maresca's team are without victory in their last four following some post-Christmas blues but their winless streak will likely come to an end against a Morecambe outfit currently languishing second from bottom in the fourth tier.

The two teams have only duelled on one occasion previously, that meeting coming at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup third round during the 2020/21 season. All four goalscorers on that day have since left west London, with Kepa Arrizabalaga, currently on loan at Bournemouth, the only player still contracted to Chelsea who featured.

Here is 90min's guide to Chelsea's FA Cup clash.

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Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is a significant doubt / Crystal Pix/MB Media/GettyImages

Chelsea are expected to field their second-string XI on Saturday but injuries will also affect Maresca's team selection.

Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile are both missing at centre-back, with Chelsea already looking at defensive cover in the January market. Romeo Lavia could return in midfield after missing the club's five Premier League matches.

Carney Chukwuemeka and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are likely to miss out at the weekend through illness and injury respectively, while Mykhailo Mudryk is still unavailable after failing a recent drugs test. Ben Chilwell and Cesare Casadei will also not feature as they seek moves away.

Chelsea predicted lineup vs Morecambe (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; Acheampong, Disasi, Adarabioyo, Veiga; Rak-Sakyi, Lavia; Madueke, Nkunku, George; Guiu.

Derek Adams is hoping for a miracle / Andrew Vaughan/GettyImages

Morecambe manager Derek Adams will be dreaming of a miracle on Saturday but the reality is that his struggling side are likely to be nothing more than a punching bag for 90 minutes.

Even a goal would be wildly celebrated by travelling supporters, who have had little to shout about this term. Ben Tollitt is their best route to getting on the scoresheet, with the 30-year-old having netted eight and set up three in all competitions.

Morecambe predicted lineup vs Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Burgoyne; Hendrie, Williams, Stott, Tutonda; White, Jones; Tollitt, Songo'o, Edwards; Dackers.

Chelsea have shown their ability to put lesser opposition to the sword this term. They scored 26 in six Europa Conference League matches, including an 8-0 win over Armenian outfit Noah, and beat League Two Barrow 5-0 in September in the Carabao Cup.

Saturday may see them run up the score and flex their attacking muscles against the second worst side in the top four divisions of English football this term. Only three sides have conceded more than Morecambe's 39 in League Two and Adams' side could be in for a long old afternoon against Chelsea's star-studded and deep squad.