National League North’s Chorley look to cause a cupset as they kick-off Super Saturday in the FA Cup Third Round, as they welcome Derby County to Victory Park.
Chorley are looking to continue their fairytale run which saw them stun League One’s Wigan and Peterborough in the opening two rounds proper, whereas Derby look to advance from this stage for the sixth time in last seven seasons.
Team News
Chorley have no fresh injury concerns to report after last weekend’s defeat at AFC Fylde with a full squad available for selection.
Derby will be without their first team players for this clash due to a serious Coronavirus outbreak suffered following their New Year defeat at Sheffield Wednesday, meaning that the matchday squad will contain a ‘predominantly’ mix of players from Under 23 and 18 squads.
Stat Attack
- This is Chorley’s first-ever meeting against Derby in all competitions.
- Chorley are featuring in this stage of the FA Cup for the first time ever.
- Derby have failed to win just one of their last six FA Cup clashes against lower league opposition (W5, D1).
Prediction
If Chorley were facing a full strength Derby team who thrashed Birmingham over Xmas, I wouldn’t of given them much chance but against a youthful Rams team, they need to show them respect because if do that then I can see the Magpies taking a comfortable win.
Should they fail to do that then this could well become a tense encounter even though Derby’s starting lineup likely have never played together before now given the mixture of U23 and U18 players, making this an adventure into the relative unknown for these young Rams with pressure of a Fourth Round spot at stake to boot.
Mental approaches of both teams will therefore be crucial because Chorley know that they will now be favourites, adding further pressure whereas Derby players will be keen to impress but I am going for a home win if the Magpies turn up and play the game not the occasion.
Prediction: Chorley 2-1 Derby
Result: Chorley 2-0 Derby