Based on our team performance against Sunderland we should really start exactly the same eleven however given that it is the FA Cup that is clearly not going to happen.

Sturridge is likely to start and Zhirkov is a probable starter. Based on his performances against Sunderland and Watford I feel Belletti should be rewarded with another start.

I also hope Joe Cole starts again as although I still think he looked a little rusty at times yesterday it did appear that he was much more comfortable in the tree formation than in the diamond where I feel he struggles with the discipline required to play at the tip.

Cant see any reason why he should change formation , sunderland struggled to cope and we were great all over . Im hoping we get a draw because i want a reply at the Bridge on a Tuesday so i can get over to a midweek game . :P

As long as we win, and don't suffer the same embarrasment as Liverpool and United, I'm happy.

Hopefully Sturridge will capitalise on his double against Watford if he does get another shot.

I think the team that finished against Sunderland may well start against Preston, with the possible exception of Sturridge in for Malouda

great news, got tickets for this game. bad news, its in amongst the prestonites. taking my little sis and dad to the match so should be a good day out, unless i lose control and jump up when/if chelsea score like i did at sunderland a few years ago :)

Edited January 18, 201016 yr by dkw

------------------------Hilario-----------------------

--PF--------------Alex-----------JT----------Zhirkov

--------------Ballack--Lampard---Matic-------------

--------------------joe-----kakuta-------------------

-----------------------Sturridge----------------------

Subs: Turnbull, Carvahlo, Bruma, Belletti, Malouda, Deco, Borini

Perfect game for the youngersters imo.

Edited January 18, 201016 yr by german-blue

I wouldn't test that kind of formation, we don't want to go out of the FA cup. As much as this should be an easy game, weirder stuff has happened. Mix Youth with experience is the way to go. A 4-4-2 Diamond for me with Sturridge and Anelka up top, Joe at the tip, Lamps and Matic at center, Ballack at the back. For the back four, Belletti, Ivanovic, Alex, and Yuri with Hilario between the posts. We include two youngsters, give JT a rest, play Joey in form, give Belletti another start, and give Yuri a run.

i agree. giving too many players a rest in a game of this nature would be asking for trouble.

--------------------Hilario

---Paulo-----Alex--------JT-----Zhirkov

-------------------Ballack

----------Matic-------------Lampard

--------------------Joey

----------Sturridge-----Anelka

Subs: Turnbull, Belletti, Ivan, Ashley, Kakuta, Malouda, Borini.

--------------------------------------Cech--------------------------------

Ivan---------------Carvalho.......................Terry--------------Zhirkov

-------------------------------------Belletti-------------------------------

---------------------Ballack--------------------Lampard-----------------

-----------------------------------Joe Cole-------------------------------

---------------------Anelka---------------------Malouda----------------

Subs: Hilario, Alex, A.Cole, Matic, Kakuta, Sturridge, Borini.

A couple of changes

--------------------------------------Cech--------------------------------

Ivan---------------Carvalho.......................Terry--------------Zhirkov

-------------------------------------Alex-------------------------------

---------------------Ballack--------------------Lampard-----------------

-----------------------------------Malouda-------------------------------

---------------------Anelka---------------------Sturridge----------------

Subs: Hilario, Alex, A.Cole, Matic, Kakuta, Sturridge, Borini.

Not a match we can risk too much, 2 years ago Burnly beat us in when we didn't play Lampard. I say something like:

Hilario

Ivanoic JT Alex Zhirkov

Belleti Lampard Ballack

Malouda Anelka Cole

We can play the youngster once we go 2 goals up .

we don't want to lose this champion

it is good in our history

so, i prefer to join the stars from the begining so we score and

ensure the result, then we can join the young players to the match

just opinion

salem

I think Matic deserves a start in this one...along side the experienced heads of Lamps and Ballack. I'd like Carlo to use the same formation he used against Sunderland, 4-3-3! Up front, Anelka, Studge and Joey.

Hilario

Belletti Alex Terry Zhirkov

Ballack Matic Lampard

Joe Anelka Sturridge

Edited January 20, 201016 yr by rahuldotchelsea

I would like to see a near full strength lineup for this, something along the lines of

-----cech

--ivan--JT--Alex--Yuri

------bellitti

----lamps--malouda

-------joey

Even if Ashley has recovered from his injury give him a bit of rest to make sure he sweet and it also means yuri gets a full run out.

We approached the carling cup matches quite arrogantly i felt with our lineups, and i will be very annoyed if we do not take the fa cup more seriously. Managers like Wenger and fergie are belittling one of the most prestigious trophies in world football and i will be very saddened if we are to follow their embarrassing lead.

Whatever the team is, all I want to see is Yuri, J.Cole and Sturridge starting.

three decent players, but against 11 is asking a little to much at least have Bolletti as rush goalie.

three decent players, but against 11 is asking a little to much at least have Bolletti as rush goalie.

hahaha :D

I also hope Joe Cole starts again as although I still think he looked a little rusty at times yesterday it did appear that he was much more comfortable in the tree formation than in the diamond where I feel he struggles with the discipline required to play at the tip.

Not convinced - not only do I think it would be a mistake to play him, I think it's a mistake to be making any attempt to keep him at Chelsea

longer than...well, I'm surprised he's still here based on his performances since he came back from injury. Admittedly, he's not a player I've ever particularly rated, but he hasn't shown any real flair at all this season and personally I think it's about time we got rid (if anyone else actually wants him).

My preferred team would be:

--------------------Cech

---Ivanovic-----Alex--------Bruma-----Zhirkov

-------------------Ballack

----------Matic-------------Malouda

--------------------Kakuta

----------Sturridge-----Borini

And this could be supplemented by a more experienced bench in case it all starts going badly.

My team would be:

--------------------Hilario

---Ivanovic-----Alex--------Bruma-----Zhirkov

-------------------Ballack

----------Matic-------------Deco

--------------------Kakuta

----------Sturridge-----Anelka

Borini , Malouda , Ash , Turnbull , JT , Lamps , Joe

Vs

--------------------Lonergan

---Jones-----Collins--------St Ledger-----Nolan

---Mayer-----Chaplow--------Carter-----WALLACE

----------------Mellor-----Parkin---------------

Not convinced - not only do I think it would be a mistake to play him, I think it's a mistake to be making any attempt to keep him at Chelsea

longer than...well, I'm surprised he's still here based on his performances since he came back from injury. Admittedly, he's not a player I've ever particularly rated, but he hasn't shown any real flair at all this season and personally I think it's about time we got rid (if anyone else actually wants him).

f**k Me.

Ethical, is that you?!!!

f**k Me.

Ethical, is that you?!!!

sounds to me like Joey`s shagged this blokes bird. or his mam.

Is this game on TV at all?

Is this game on TV at all?

Yeah, ITV I think.

Really? Brilliant/Brap/Leeroooooy Jenkins..