Chelsea vs Port Vale FA Cup preview, team news and prediction

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Chelsea’s clearest route to salvaging their season now runs through the FA Cup, and they begin this tie at Stamford Bridge against League One strugglers Port Vale.

The Blues have struggled to convince under Liam Rosenior, with results dipping sharply before the international break. Chelsea went into the pause on a run of four consecutive defeats in all competitions, most recently a damaging 3-0 loss at Everton that has left their top-four hopes in tatters. Their FA Cup path has been kind so far, featuring lower-league opponents in Wrexham, Charlton Athletic and Hull City. Despite not yet playing at home in the competition, Chelsea have largely rotated for these ties and are expected to do so again.

Port Vale, though, have already produced a headline result, knocking out Premier League side Sunderland in the last round. That cup momentum has offered relief from a difficult league campaign: Vale sit bottom of League One and have lost four of their last six league matches, including defeats to Wycombe, Doncaster, Blackpool and Bradford City. Their away defending has been a particular concern, conceding 1.63 goals per 90 minutes on the road.

All signs point to this being the end of Port Vale’s run. With the depth Chelsea can call on — even with rotation — they should have too much and are expected to come through comfortably.

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Chelsea are set to be without Reece James and Jamie Gittens (both thigh), Levi Colwill (knee), Trevoh Chalobah (ankle), Filip Jorgensen (groin) and Mykhaylo Mudryk (suspended), although Benoit Badiashile should be available again after missing the Everton defeat through illness.

Liam Rosenior is expected to shuffle his XI, with Liam Delap and Marc Guiu pushing for starts ahead of Joao Pedro. If Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez are both left out, Estevao Willian could feature as the No.10, while Romeo Lavia, Andrey Santos and Dario Essugo battle for places in deeper midfield.

Port Vale, meanwhile, look set to miss Ben Heneghan, George Byers and Jayden Stockley through injury, with Ryan Croasdale a late fitness check. Onel Hernandez is pressing for his first start since arriving in February after five substitute outings.

Ben Waine, scorer of the winner against Sunderland and now on three FA Cup goals this season, could lead the line again, supported by Dajaune Brown and/or Ethon Archer.

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