Charlton v Chelsea: Line-ups, stats and preview

Charlton v Chelsea FA Cup preview

Charlton Athletic’s Conor Coventry says manager Nathan Jones faces a tactical puzzle when Chelsea visit the second-tier side in new Blues boss Liam Rosenior’s first match in charge.

The Premier League side appointed Rosenior as Enzo Maresca’s successor on Wednesday, giving him a debut in the dugout at The Valley against opponents 31 places below Chelsea in the pyramid.

“It’s a tough job for the staff to figure out what’s going to happen,” former West Ham midfielder Coventry told Charlton’s website.

“Us as players, it doesn’t really change for us too much. We know the quality they’ve got and we know that they’ll come and have a lot of the ball. I was buzzing when I saw the draw.”

Rosenior described former Luton Town, Stoke City and Southampton boss Jones, who guided the Addicks to promotion through the play-offs last season, as “top”.

“He has had an outstanding career as a manager,” added Rosenior. “It is going to be a very difficult game. They have such intensity.”

The former Hull City manager left Strasbourg to take over a side who are winless in five matches following a 2-1 league defeat at Fulham on Wednesday.

“It is going to be a difficult English cup tie in January and my players need to be able to stand up to that,” added the 41-year-old.

“You have to win duels and headers and you have to run and that is the message that I have given to the players.”

FA Cup third round 2025: Charlton v Chelsea team news

Jones said defender Reece Burke and forward Miles Leaburn “will both be fine” after being replaced because of injuries during Charlton’s 2-2 draw at Blackburn Rovers on Sunday.

Striker Matt Godden is yet to play this season following knee surgery but has returned to training. Defender Josh Edwards is out with an ankle problem.

Chelsea midfielders Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo remain sidelined by hamstring problems and centre-back Levi Colwill has a long-term knee injury.

Wideman Marc Cucurella is suspended for being dismissed against the Cottagers. Winger Mykhailo Mudryk has not played since November 2024 after being suspended by the FA after an alleged adverse finding in a drug test.

Charlton v Chelsea predicted FA Cup line-ups

Charlton starting XI: Thomas Kaminski, Reece Burke, Lloyd Jones, Amari’i Bell, James Bree, Luke Berry, Conor Coventry, Joe Rankin-Costello, Tyreece Campbell, Miles Leaburn, Charlie Kelman

Chelsea starting XI: Robert Sanchez, Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Jorrel Hato, Estevao, Reece James, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Liam Delap, Pedro Neto

How to watch Charlton v Chelsea: FA Cup TV channel, live online stream

Kick-off on Saturday is at 20:00 GMT (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT). Live TV coverage in the UK is on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate.

TNT Sports costs £29.99 a month through discovery+, which includes Eurosport and entertainment and is available on a vast range of devices including smart TVs and gaming consoles.

Online live streaming is available on a vast range of devices through the discovery+ app.

Charlton v Chelsea FA Cup 2025/26 stats

• Of the 71 meetings between the teams, there have been 32 wins for Chelsea, 22 for Charlton and 17 draws
• The last edition was at The Valley in February 2007, when Frank Lampard scored the only goal as the visitors won
• Charlton have been eliminated in each of their last five FA Cup third-round ties, last progressing to the fourth round in 2013/14 by knocking out Oxford United in a replay
• The teams first met in the FA Cup in the fourth round in March 1963, when goals from Jimmy Mulholland, Bert Murray and Bobby Tambling gave Chelsea a 3-0 away win
• Their second and most recent encounter in the competition was in the third round in January 1995, when Chelsea again won 3-0 through goals by Gavin Peacock, Frank Sinclair and John Spencer
• One of the most recent 11 meetings between the teams ended in Charlton’s favour, winning 4-2 at The Valley in the Premier League on Boxing Day 2003
• Chelsea have progressed from 61 of their last 63 FA Cup ties against sides from a lower division, including their last 22 in a row
• The two exceptions were away to Barnsley in the 2007/08 quarter-final and at home to Bradford City in the 2014/15 fourth round
• New Chelsea forward Joao Pedro has produced six goals and one assist across his last four starts in the FA Cup, playing for Watford and Brighton
• The Blues can complete four consecutive wins at The Valley for the first time in their history

FA Cup third round: Charlton v Chelsea prediction

What To Do If You Have A Gambling Problem

We understand that gambling can be fun, but it is always important to gamble responsibly. If you are struggling with a gambling problem, please do not hesitate to ask for help. There are people who can help you get on the road to recovery. Below, we have listed some helpful resources to help aid you on the road to recovery.

• National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133
• GamCare: https://www.gamcare.org.uk
• GambleAware: www.gambleaware.com