Chelsea kick off their FA Cup campaign on Saturday when they play host to Preston in the third round. The Blues will be the clear favorites to reach the next stage of the competition, but could a case be made for the visitors to spring a massive upset?
Before Betting On Chelsea vs Preston
It has been an indifferent start to life at Stamford Bridge for Mauricio Pochettino this season, but the Blues remain in the hunt for two major pieces of silverware. Chelsea are already in the last four of the League Cup, and they will be looking to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday with a home victory against Preston.
Chelsea’s record in this fixture is very strong, as they have won each of their last three FA Cup ties against Preston. However, this will be the first meeting between the sides in the competition since the Blues progressed in 2009-10. Preston will also have something to find based on the previous results, as they have landed just a single victory from their last 15 against the Blues. Their only success over that period was a 1-0 win in February 1981.
Chelsea boasts an excellent record against sides from lower divisions, as they have progressed from their last 18 FA Cup ties. Their most recent defeat against lower league opposition came against Bradford City in 2014-15. Meanwhile, the Blues exited the competition in the third round last term, ending a 25-year sequence of reaching the fourth round.
Preston’s record in the FA Cup should also be considered this weekend, as they have lost nine of their last eleven fixtures in the competition. Meanwhile, they have suffered defeats in 17 of their last 18 matches in the competition against top-flight opposition.
Chelsea vs Preston Offshore Odds & Pick
Chelsea’s record in the third round of the FA Cup looks like the way to approach this fixture on Saturday. Therefore, we will be siding with the Blues reaching the next round of the competition with a straightforward win.
