Chelsea Face Giant-Killing Lincoln City: Team News, Bold Predictions and Starting XI Revealed
Chelsea kicks off their Carabao Cup journey with an away fixture against League One side Lincoln City on Tuesday evening, as the Blues look to bounce back from a Premier League setback.
Their struggles at Old Trafford continued in dramatic fashion on Saturday night, as they spent most of their 2–1 loss playing with ten players following Robert Sánchez's early red card. Casemiro's subsequent dismissal made it an even contest numerically, but Chelsea were already trailing 2–0 and managed only a late consolation goal from Trevoh Chalobah.
The Blues have now gone three matches without a victory across all competitions, though they're expected to get back on track in midweek.
Lincoln face the five-time champions of this tournament for the first time in over a century, earning this profitable matchup through away wins against Harrogate Town and Burton Albion.
Michael Skubala's team has made an excellent start to the 2025–26 season, suffering just one loss in their first nine league matches to sit third in the standings. A remarkable victory here would send them into the fourth round of this competition for only the third time in club history.
Here is Sports Illustrated's preview of Tuesday's Carabao Cup encounter.
What Time Does Lincoln vs. Chelsea Kick-Off?
Lincoln vs. Chelsea Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Lincoln | Chelsea |
|---|---|
Lincoln 3–1 Luton - 20/09/25 | Man Utd 2–1 Chelsea - 20/09/25 |
Burton Albion 0–1 Lincoln - 13/09/25 | Bayern Munich 3–1 Chelsea - 17/09/25 |
Lincoln 2–2 Wigan - 06/09/25 | Brentford 2–2 Chelsea - 13/09/25 |
Lincoln 3–0 Notts County - 02/09/25 | Chelsea 2–0 Fulham - 30/08/25 |
Lincoln 1–1 Mansfield - 30/08/25 | West Ham 1–5 Chelsea - 22/08/25 |
How to Watch Lincoln vs. Chelsea on TV
Country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United States | Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video |
United Kingdom | Sky Sports+, BBC Radio 5 Live (radio commentary) |
Canada | DAZN Canada, Amazon Prime Video |
Lincoln Team News
The home side might depend on a youthful attacking line to drive a potential shock on Tuesday evening, with 20-year-old Francis Okoronkwo, plus 21-year-olds Oscar Thorn and Freddie Draper, among the options to feature in Skubala's forward line.
Dom Jefferies could return to the squad if he recovers from a hip problem, though Jack Moylan is definitely ruled out with an ankle complaint.
Dexter Lembikisa arrives on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers but has yet to make his debut for Lincoln. He's unlikely to be thrown into such a high-profile match, so Lewis Montsma should get the nod at right-back.
Lincoln Predicted Lineup vs. Chelsea
Lincoln predicted lineup vs. Chelsea (4-3-3): Jeacock; Montsma, Jackson, Bradley, Reach; House, Barbrook, Ring; Thorn, Draper, Okoronkwo.
Chelsea Team News
There's little question that Maresca will utilize his entire squad on Tuesday evening, with the Chelsea manager set to make significant changes from Saturday's loss at Old Trafford.
The Blues will be without Robert Sánchez following his weekend dismissal, but the keeper faces only a single-match suspension and will return for selection against Brighton & Hove Albion. Filip Jörgensen will step in for the Spanish shot-stopper.
Alejandro Garnacho is expected to make his maiden start for the club, while Marc Guiu will probably spearhead the Blues' attack, having returned from his Sunderland loan following Liam Delap's hamstring setback.
Cole Palmer worsened his groin problem on Saturday and won't feature in midweek. Maresca has also stated that Benoît Badiashile and Roméo Lavia remain sidelined, though both are nearing comebacks.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs. Lincoln
Chelsea predicted lineup vs. Lincoln (4-2-3-1): Jörgensen; Gusto, Tosin, Acheampong, Hato; Santos, Fernández; Garnacho, Buonanotte, Gittens; Guiu.
Lincoln vs. Chelsea Score Prediction
Lincoln can take encouragement from Grimsby Town, after the League Two club eliminated Man Utd from the tournament on spot-kicks in the second round. They've subsequently overcome Sheffield Wednesday and will feature in the fourth round draw.
The home team has every justification for optimism, while Chelsea will be nursing their wounds from Saturday's disappointing reverse at the Theatre of Dreams. Nevertheless, Maresca's roster is packed with talent throughout, and his rotated starting eleven is expected to appear quite formidable on Tuesday evening.
A host of fresh personnel means the Blues might not deliver the most spectacular cup performance, but they'll importantly do sufficient to progress.