Jose Mourinho’s side travel to the sports drink named stadium on the back of a successful Christmas period which saw the Blues climb to third in the table, only two points behind leaders Arsenal.

After fulfilling a gruelling set of fixtures which included trips to Arsenal and Southampton, as well as the visit of Liverpool, Mourinho may be inclined to ring the changes given the squad depth at his disposal. However, he should not take the Championship outfit lightly, as despite defeat at home to Wigan on New Year’s Day, Derby had previously gone nine games unbeaten – winning eight (including seven on the bounce) and drawing once.

Despite the former England manager playing down talk of promotion, Steve McClaren’s men sit fourth in the table, four points behind Burnley in the final automatic promotion place and eight points ahead of the teams aiming for the playoffs.

The Rams have been particularly impressive in front of goal and are the league’s top scorers with 48; nonetheless, it is at the back where they need to improve ahead of this weekend’s tie having conceded 30 in 24 games – the most out of the top 14 in the division.


Defender David Luiz is available after being suspended for the Premier League win at Southampton and could return.

Midfielder Frank Lampard (muscular injury) and right-back Branislav Ivanovic (knee) are out until the end of the month, while Marco van Ginkel (knee) is continuing his rehabilitation.

Derby will be without striker Johnny Russell after he suffered a fractured cheekbone in the New Year's Day defeat to Wigan.

Steve McClaren is sweating over the fitness of key midfielder Craig Bryson after he picked up a calf injury against Wigan.

Jeff Hendrick could replace Bryson in midfield if the Scottish ace misses out having recovered a bout of concussion.

This will be the seventh meeting between the pair in the FA Cup with two draws and two wins a piece with the most recent meeting coming 16 years ago when Chelsea won 3-1 at Derby’s former home, the Baseball Ground.

KICK-OFF: Sunday, 2:15pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS:

Chelsea 6 (Lampard 4, Kalou, J Cole) Derby 1 (Jones), Premier League, March 2008

Derby 0 Chelsea 2 (Kalou, Wright-Phillips), Premier League, November 2007

Chelsea 2 (Terry, Petit) Derby 1 (Strupar), Premier League, March 2002

STATS:

Both sides have only lost one of their last ten, with Derby picking up two more points than their opponents (25).

Derby have scored the most goals in the Championship this season (48), but have conceded 30 which is the worst in the top 14.

Fernando Torres became the first Chelsea striker to score away from home in the league since December 2012 when he scored against Southampton last time out.

Hope to see a clownish-anti-football-pack-the-bus-5-5-0-formation today.

Followed swiftly by taekwando style defense with mortal-kombat styled attack.

Mazi_Omenuko: Hope to see a clownish-anti-football-pack-the-bus-5-5-0-formation today.

Followed swiftly by taekwando style defense with mortal-kombat styled attack.

now u come atleast change beefing tactics
Meanwhile we de progress to the next round

The time is 2.15GMT; which is 3.15pm.

Stop posting false info on Nl before you're banned according to rule 8.

Perverts!

Havilah93:

come havilah u made me go viewing centre wn i no suppose go

chimerase2: come havilah u made me go viewing centre wn i no suppose go

No worry, siddon dia, and order some ori eran. .

Its almost time.

Havilah93:

No worry, siddon dia, and order some ori eran. .

Its almost time.

Line up

Schwarzer; Azpilicueta, Cahill, D. Luiz, Cole; Essien (c), Mikel; Ramires, Oscar, Willian; Eto'o

Subs: Cech, Kalas, Terry, Baker,
Hazard, Mata, Torres.

Line-up vs Derby: Schwarzer;
Azpilicueta, Cahill, D Luiz, Cole;
Essien (k), Mikel; Ramires, Oscar,
Willian; Eto’o. #CFC

Hmmm.

No Mata today.


Great atmosphere here though

players coming out of the tunnel

Andre Wisdom from Liverpool and Michael Keane from Manchester United (both on loan) are starting for derby

Game on!

eto

Oscar should have passed now

Etoo too much on the pass for Ramires

corner chelsea

9 mins gone.

Cashley nice block from the cross

*yawns*

ramos shot from derby.

22 mins gone.

0-0

Etooo!!

Most clueless and overhyped team in the world >> Chelsea

Don't you love Eto'o!!!! Legendary striker


Pervert!