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Chelsea begin their FA Cup 2021-22 campaign with a home game against fifth-tier side Chesterfield on Saturday at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are the runners-up from the previous campaign, where they lost 1-0 to Leicester City at Wembley. Chesterfield set up a date with the London giants after a 2-0 win at Salford City in December.
Chelsea have just one win from their last five Premier League games but have managed to stay in second place in the league standings. They defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in their EFL Cup first-leg fixture on Wednesday to return to winning ways.
Chelsea vs Chesterfield Head-to-Head
This will be just the eighth meeting between the two sides across all competitions, with the last one coming in the FA Cup in 1950. Chelsea have the better record against their northern rivals with four wins.
The visiting side have been able to get the better of the hosts just once while the spoils have been shared twice in this fixture.
Chelsea form guide (all competitions): W-D-D-W-W
Chesterfield form guide (all competitions): W-D-W-W-D
Chelsea vs Chesterfield Team News
Chelsea
Ben Chilwell is a long-term absentee on account of a serious knee injury. Here are the rest of the absentees for the Blues:
- Cesar Azpilicueta - Hamstring injury
- Andreas Christensen - Back injury
- Reece James - Hamstring injury
- Trevoh Chalobah - Hamstring injury
- Kai Havertz - Finger injury
- Thiago Silva - COVID-19
- N'GOlo Kante - COVID-19
Edouard Mendy has joined the Senegal squad for the upcoming AFCON and will be unavailable for the next couple of weeks.
Injuries: Ben Chilwell, Trevoh Chalobah, Kai Havertz, Andreas Christensen, Reece James
Doubtful: Cesar Azpilicueta
Suspension: None
Unavailable: Thiago Silva (COVID-19), N'GOlo Kante (COVID-19), Edouard Mendy (AFCON)
Chesterfield
Jack Clarke underwent an operation on his hamstring and is the only injury concern for the visitors. Luke Croll, Laurence Maguire and Jeff King are all doubts for the game.
Injuries: Jack Clarke
Doubtful: Luke Croll, Laurence Maguire, Jeff King
Suspension: None
Chelsea vs Chesterfield Predicted XI
Chelsea Predicted XI (3-5-2): Marcus Bettinelli; Malang Sarr, Xavier Mbuyamba, Sam McClelland; Hudson-Odoi, Marcos Alonso, Lewis Hall, Saul, Ruben Loftus-Cheek; Timo Werner, Christian Pulisic
Chesterfield Predicted XI (5-3-2): Scott Loach; Calvin Miller, Alex Whittle, Gavin Gunning, Tyrone Williams, George Carline; Manny Oyeleke, Curtis Weston, Liam Mandeville; Saidou Khan, Kabongo Tshimanga
Chelsea vs Chesterfield Prediction
Chelsea returned to winning ways against Tottenham on Wednesday and looked solid despite Thomas Tuchel opting for a new formation. Chesterfield are unbeaten in their last 14 games across all competitions but don't stand a chance against Chelsea.
Prediction: Chelsea 4-0 Chesterfield.
