Chelsea vs Chesterfield: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction
By Max Parsons
Chelsea kick off their 2021/22 FA Cup campaign on Saturday evening, as they host non-league Chesterfield at Stamford Bridge.
Thomas Tuchel will naturally expect nothing but a win, especially following the morale-boosting dominance they displayed in their 2-0 Carabao semi-final first leg victory over Tottenham last time out.
That win ended a two-match drawing streak, in which they were frustratingly held by Brighton and then Liverpool at the Bridge.
This weekend, they'll face a Chesterfield side sitting at the summit of the National League. Having not lost since late September, James Rowe's side looks good to end a four-year stint outside of the EFL but will have to produce something miraculous if they're going to progress any further in the FA Cup.
So far they have only had to overcome Curzon Ashton, Southend United and Salford City in the competition.
Here's 90min's preview of this clash.
How to watch Chelsea vs Chesterfield on TV
When is kick off? Saturday 8 January, 17:30 (GMT)
Where is it being played? Stamford Bridge, London
What TV channel is it on? BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer, BBC Website (UK), ESPN+ (US)
Highlights? BBC Match of the Day: The FA Cup (UK), BBC Sport YouTube channel
Who's the referee? Jarred Gillett
Who's the VAR? John Brooks
Chelsea team news
Tuchel will be without Edouard Mendy once again as the club's number one is away on international duty at the African Cup of Nations, while N'Golo Kante and Thiago Silva registered positive Covid-19 results earlier in the week, so will also miss out.
Kai Havertz suffered a finger injury that is not for the squeamish while scoring against Spurs in midweek, so could join Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah and Andreas Christensen on the treatment table.
Elsewhere, Cesar Azpilicueta is a doubt, having suffered cramp last time out, but may not have started in any case with Tuchel potentially opting for a youthful side.
Read Chelsea's predicted lineup here
Chesterfield team news
Rowe's main concerns are with his back line. Gavin Gunning was forced off with fatigue last time out, so he could join Luke Croll and Laurence Maguire - Harry's brother - on the sidelines, allowing Jamie Grimes to deputise in an injury-hit defence.
Meanwhile, former Aston Villa youth player Jack Clarke will remain absent with a long-term hamstring problem, while Saturday's clash may come too soon for return to action for Jeff King.
One player the Blues should look out for is the man likely to lead the line for the visiting side. 24-year-old Kabongo Tshimanga has been ripping apart the National League for a couple of years and, following goal hauls of 19 and 17 for Boreham Wood in the past two campaigns, he's already hit 18 league strikes with Chesterfield this term.
Chelsea vs Chesterfield head to head record
The two clubs have faced each other just seven times since their first encounter in 1905. In fact, Chesterfield came away with a 1-0 victory in their first meeting - although there has been nothing to smile about since, as you may expect.
Since that result, Chelsea have beaten the Spireites four times while they've also drawn twice. It's been a while since the two clubs have met, however, most recently playing out a 3-0 Blues win in a 1950 FA Cup tie.
Chelsea vs Chesterfield prediction
Magic of the Cup? Nah, don't think so.
While Chesterfield supporters will probably invoke the memory of Bradford's 4-2 shock victory at Stamford Bridge in 2015 to offer some hope, there's only one realistic result to predict.
Although soaring, Chesterfield are a non-league outfit and will face up against Premier League professionals. While Tuchel may call upon a lot of youth for Saturday's Cup clash, the superior nous, ability and general collective quality that Chelsea should display will surely secure progression to round four.
Prediction: Chelsea 4-0 Chesterfield