Chelsea vs Preston Prediction: Blues to continue cup fever at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea face a tough task to even reach the top-four positions in the Premier League table and that could mean that domestic cup competitions take priority for the Blues.

There is no European football for Mauricio Pochettino’s men this season and the Stamford Bridge side have already negotiated a path to the semi-finals of the EFL Cup.

Before the Blues worry about the last-four League Cup challenge of Middlesbrough they host fellow Championship side Preston in the FA Cup on Saturday (KO, 17:30).

The Lilywhites travel to west London hoping to pull off a third-round shock, but Chelsea should have enough quality to dominate the contest.

Team News

Chelsea have a lengthy injury list ahead of the visit of Preston. Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Robert Sanchez, Romeo Lavia, Marc Cucurella and Carney Chukwuemeka will all miss the game, while Nicolas Jackson has left the squad to join up with Senegal at the AFCON.

Defender Jack Whatmough is a doubt for the visitors, but Robbie Brady has returned to training and could play a part at Stamford Bridge.

Match Odds

Chelsea are the red-hot 2/11 favourites to take care of their Championship opponents, while Preston are 14/1 to cause a huge shock and the draw is available at 6/1.

Both teams to score, meanwhile, is 11/10.

Chelsea & over 3.5 goals @ 5/4

Chelsea have recorded Premier League victories over Tottenham and Brighton this season, whilst they have also avoided defeat against Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool as well as eliminating Newcastle in the EFL Cup.

On the other hand, Pochettino’s men have lost to Wolves, Brenford, Man Utd, Forest, West Ham and Everton this term, with the west Londoners looking like a real Jekyll and Hyde side.

The Blues take a major step down in class against Preston in the third-round of the FA Cup on Saturday, and on the evidence of Chelsea’s performances against Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool, it should be a comfortable evening for the Blues.

Chelsea have scored 24 goals in their last 12 matches, a total that could have easily been bettered with some slightly more competent finishing, but they have kept only one clean sheet in their last 15 games.

The Blues should be far too strong for Preston, but not without jeopardy in front of their own goal. Backing Chelsea to win and over 3.5 goals in the game looks the best bet.

Preston -10 booking points handicap @ 13/8

Betfred’s booking points market awards ten points per yellow and 25 for a red and Preston are being asked to give Chelsea a ten-point start on the handicap.

The Blues should control the game and possession and there shouldn’t really be any need for Chelsea to be diving into tackles.

Preston have collected 19 yellow cards in seven matches, they have five players in their squad that have been cautioned at least five times this term and they are likely to garner more of referee Thomas Bramall’s attention.

Check out the rest of our Football Betting Tips here.