Chelsea will look to avoid a cupset as they entertain Port Vale in the Quarter-Finals of 2025-26 FA Cup.
Victory would see Chelsea reach the semi-finals for the second time in three seasons, whilst Port Vale are chasing a first appearance in the last four since 1953-54 season.
Teams
Enzo Fernandez is suspended for Chelsea’s next two matches following internal disciplinary action, due to remarks made about his future in West London.
Benoit Badiashile (illness) and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (hamstring) could return but Filip Jorgensen (groin), Trevoh Chalobah (ankle), Reece James, Levi Colwill (ACL) and Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension) are still sidelined.
Port Vale have no fresh injury concerns with Ryan Croasdale set to return from an unspecified injury subject to a late fitness check.
Jayden Stockley (calf), Ben Heneghan (concussion) and George Byers (unspecified) ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Chelsea host Port Vale at Stamford Bridge on Easter Saturday 4 April at 5:15pm BST, live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Chelsea’s first-ever FA Cup tie against Port Vale.
- Port Vale are making their first FA Cup visit to Chelsea, but are winless in seven previous visits across all competitions (D1, L6).
- Chelsea have kept clean sheets in four of their seven previous home matches against Port Vale.
- Four of Chelsea’s 13 FA Cup goals this season were scored by Pedro Neto, who is the only player to score more than once in this competition within Liam Rosenoir’s squad.
- Port Vale have won each of their last four FA Cup matches by 1-0 results (W4).
Prediction
Having conceded seven goals in their last three matches before the international break, Chelsea will be fairly pleased to be at home for this tie in which they are strong favourites on pure quality but they do have to be more clinical and defend better if want to avoid a shock.
Port Vale meanwhile have absolutely nothing to lose coming into this tie given that they’re certainly destined for relegation to League Two, so this cup game is basically a free hit for them but they ideally need to play on the counter-attack and score first if want to cause a shock.
I however just think that Chelsea will have too much quality for the Valiants but a goal does look achievable for the visitors given Chelsea’s defensive vulnerability.
Prediction: Chelsea 4-1 Port Vale
Result: Chelsea 7-0 Port Vale