Chelsea will begin their 2024/25 FA Cup campaign with a third-round tie against League Two strugglers Morecambe at Stamford Bridge.
While Enzo Maresca’s side has endured a tough start to the new year, failing to win any of their last four matches, they are heavy favorites to secure a resounding victory against a Morecambe team fighting to avoid relegation from the fourth tier.
The two sides last met in the FA Cup during the 2020/21 season, with Chelsea running out 4-0 winners.
Match Details
- Location: London, England
- Stadium: Stamford Bridge
- Date: Saturday, January 11, 2025
- Kick-off Time: 15:00 GMT / 10:00 ET / 07:00 PT
- Referee: Andrew Kitchen
Head-to-Head Record (All Time)
- Chelsea: 1 win
- Morecambe: 0 wins
- Draws: 0
Last Meeting: Chelsea 4-0 Morecambe (January 10, 2021) – FA Cup
Current Form (All Competitions)
Chelsea
- Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea – January 4, 2025
- Ipswich 2-0 Chelsea – December 30, 2024
- Chelsea 1-2 Fulham – December 26, 2024
- Everton 0-0 Chelsea – December 22, 2024
- Chelsea 5-1 Shamrock Rovers – December 19, 2024
Morecambe
- Morecambe 2-0 Tranmere – January 1, 2025
- Salford 1-0 Morecambe – December 29, 2024
- Carlisle 0-1 Morecambe – December 26, 2024
- Morecambe 0-2 Bromley – December 21, 2024
- Cheltenham 2-0 Morecambe – December 14, 2024
Team News
Chelsea
Maresca is expected to rotate heavily, giving opportunities to fringe players and youngsters. Injuries and other absences will also influence his selection.
- Out:
- Wesley Fofana (injury)
- Benoit Badiashile (injury)
- Mykhailo Mudryk (failed drugs test)
- Ben Chilwell (seeking transfer)
- Cesare Casadei (seeking transfer)
- Doubtful:
- Romeo Lavia (returning from injury)
- Carney Chukwuemeka (illness)
- Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (injury)
Predicted Chelsea Lineup (4-2-3-1):
- GK: Jorgensen
- DEF: Acheampong, Disasi, Adarabioyo, Veiga
- MID: Rak-Sakyi, Lavia
- ATT MID: Madueke, Nkunku, George
- ST: Guiu
Morecambe
Manager Derek Adams is expected to field his strongest XI as his side looks to defy the odds.
- Key Player: Ben Tollitt (8 goals, 3 assists in all competitions).
Predicted Morecambe Lineup (4-2-3-1):
- GK: Burgoyne
- DEF: Hendrie, Williams, Stott, Tutonda
- MID: White, Jones
- ATT MID: Tollitt, Songo’o, Edwards
- ST: Dackers
Prediction
Chelsea’s depth and quality should prove far too much for Morecambe. Despite their recent struggles, the Blues have demonstrated their ability to dominate lesser opposition this season, including an 8-0 thrashing of Noah in the Europa Conference League and a 5-0 Carabao Cup victory over Barrow.
Morecambe, who have one of the worst defensive records in League Two, are likely to endure a long afternoon at Stamford Bridge.
Score Prediction: Chelsea 7-0 Morecambe
