The FA Cup has resumed with the third round, with Premier League clubs entering the competition. The latest stage began on Thursday, with Crystal Palace taking on Everton in a goalless draw. The action continues on an action-paced Saturday, with four simultaneous fixtures, including Chelsea vs Preston North End, bringing it to a close.

2023/24 has been a horrific season thus far for Chelsea, with Mauricio Pochettino struggling to turn things around. The Blues are tenth on the Premier League table, blowing hot and cold throughout the ongoing campaign. But there are signs of a turnaround, with Pochettino’s charges winning four of their last games.

The story is not much different for Preston North End. The Lilywhites had a mid-table finish last season in the EFL Championship and remain in a similar position this term. But unlike the home side, Ryan Lowe’s men have won the Bestsolaris only one of their last five games, losing the only other match.

The last two clashes featuring Chelsea and Preston North End have come in the FA Cup, with the Blues winning both games by a two-goal margin. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.

Team News & Tactics

Chelsea
Mauricio Pochettino has greeted positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Against Preston North End on Saturday, the Chelsea manager will be bereft of the services of 11 first-team players.

Ben Chilwell (hamstring), Benoit Badiashile (knock), and Carney Chukwuemeka (knee) have resumed training. But while they are close to returning, the game against Preston North End has come too soon for the trio.

Robert Sanchez (knee), Reece James (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (knee), Marc Cucurella (ankle), Trevoh Chalobah (thigh), Romeo Lavia (hamstring), and Lesley Ugochukwu (thigh) remain in the treatment room. Meanwhile, Nicolas Jackson has joined his compatriots for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Armando Broja will spearhead the Chelsea attack against Preston North End on Saturday. Noni Madueke, Christopher Nkunku, and Mykhailo Mudryk should complete the numbers in the final third. As for the midfield unit, Enzo Fernandez and Conor Gallagher should pair up in the double pivot.

Alfie Gilchrist will earn a rare start for the Chelsea first team, pairing up with Axel Disasi at the heart of the defence. Levi Colwill and Malo Gusto should be the two full-backs, with Djordje Petrovic deputising for Sanchez in the goal.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Gilchrist, Colwill; Fernandez, Gallagher; Madueke, Nkunku, Mudryk; Broja

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