Chelsea travel to the LNER Stadium on Tuesday night for an EFL Cup third-round clash against Lincoln City, with the Premier League giants looking to bounce back from a stuttering run of form.

Lincoln’s Confidence and Home Advantage

The Imps come into this tie brimming with belief. Mark Kennedy’s men are unbeaten in their last nine matches across all competitions, making a strong start to their League One campaign. They’ve already dispatched Harrogate Town and Burton Albion to reach this stage of the competition, and their impressive home record at Sincil Bank adds extra confidence that they could trouble their illustrious visitors.

In attack, Freddie Draper and Oscar Thorn are expected to lead the charge, while Francis Okoronkwo provides additional pace and flair. However, Jack Moylan misses out with an ankle injury, and midfielder Dom Jefferies remains doubtful.

Chelsea Under Pressure to Respond

For Chelsea, inconsistency continues to define their season. The Blues have suffered back-to-back defeats, including a costly Premier League loss to Manchester United, and manager Enzo Maresca will be demanding a reaction. The EFL Cup may offer a chance to rotate, but with pressure mounting, progress is non-negotiable.

In terms of team news, goalkeeper Robert Sánchez is suspended after his red card at Old Trafford, meaning Filip Jorgensen is set to start between the posts. Cole Palmer is a doubt, while Levi Colwill, Benoît Badiashile, Romeo Lavia and Liam Delap are among those sidelined. Fringe players like Andrey Santos, Trevoh Chalobah, and possibly young attackers could be handed opportunities to impress.

Key Battle

The big question is whether Lincoln’s energy and organisation can frustrate Chelsea’s rotated side. The home crowd will look to unsettle the Blues early, while Maresca’s men must show defensive concentration and clinical edge in front of goal.

Prediction

Lincoln’s momentum and home advantage make them dangerous, but Chelsea’s depth and individual quality should eventually shine through. Expect a spirited start from the Imps, but the Premier League side are favourites to progress.

Prediction: Lincoln City 1–3 Chelsea