After failing to win their last three matches, Chelsea will be looking to return to winning ways when they face League One Lincoln City on Tuesday’s EFL Cup tie, and it will be the ninth meeting between the two sides.
While this is the first game of Chelsea’s League Cup campaign, Softfootball reports that Lincoln have already seen off Harrogate Town and Burton Albion to set up the mouthwatering clash against the Club World Cup winners.
The Blues have faced the Imps on eight occasions, with the last meeting between the two clubs taking place all the way back in 1911. There are no replays in the Carabao Cup, and extra-time is not used until the semi-final stage. So, if the game ends as a draw, the winner is decided by penalties.
Team News
Lincoln will be dreaming of pulling off an almighty upset as they bid to reach the fourth round for the first time since 2021-22. The League One side should be full of confidence, having put together a 10-game unbeaten run in all competitions since losing to AFC Wimbledon on August 9.
As for Chelsea, their three-game winless run has included back-to-back defeats against Bayern Munich and Manchester United in the Champions League and Premier League respectively.
Enzo Maresca is likely to rotate his side for the midweek fixture, but he will warn his team against complacency, as the Blues look to avoid a third-round exit for the second time in four seasons..
The visit of the Blues will be widely considered to be the biggest game to ever take place at the home of Lincoln City. The only competition arguably being the visit of Macclesfield Town that sealed a return to the Football League in 2017.
Chelsea, by contrast, are licking wounds. Defeats to Manchester United and Bayern Munich in the past week have dampened spirits, leaving questions over whether Enzo Maresca’s side can find the balance between their attractive possession football and the need for defensive steel.
Anyone that finds the net in this tie will certainly put their name up alongside the likes of Matt Rhead, Sean Raggett, Terry Hawkridge and the Cowley brothers.
It’s undoubtedly a huge mountain for the Imps to climb against a side that have won every competition available to them; but we have seen them do it before. While few expect the Imps to win the game it will certainly be a day to remember and the first time a Champions League club has played in front of a crowd in a competitive Sincil Bank fixture.
This clash feels like a proper test of levels: Lincoln with belief and form, Chelsea with power and pedigree. The question is whether the underdogs can exploit Chelsea’s fragility, or if class will inevitably shine through. A look at both Chelsea officla website and Lincoln City shows no update about the clash as of the time of filing this report.
Possible Lineups
Lincoln City possible starting lineup: Lincoln City possible starting lineup: Wickens; Darikwa, Jackson, Bradley, Reach; Bayliss, McGrandles; Hackett-Fairchild, House, Okoronkwo; Collins
Chelsea possible starting lineup: Chelsea possible starting lineup: Chelsea possible starting lineup: Jorgensen; James, Chalobah, Hato, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Estevao, Gittens; Pedro
SoftFootball’s Prediction
For this tie, the best bet is Chelsea to win and both teams to score. The evidence points firmly this way. Chelsea have been potent in attack, but their defensive line has been fragile, conceding in five of their last six outings.
Lincoln, however, have shown they can strike. Housey is in form, having netted twice against Luton, and the team as a whole have scored in each of their last six games. Their return of 11 goals across that stretch is evidence enough they can trouble Chelsea’s defence, especially with the crowd urging them forward.
