Chelsea will be hoping to overcome their recent slump as they take on fourth-tier side Morecambe in the third round of the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge. The Blues are expected to field a squad comprised of fringe players, with Reece James and Romeo Lavia likely to return from injury layoffs. Despite the significant gap in their league rankings, Morecambe will be looking to prove their worth and cause an upset in this highly anticipated match. To catch the action live, check out our guide on the best streaming services and how to bypass geo-restrictions with the use of a VPN.
Chelsea Aim to End Slump in FA Cup Tie Against Morecambe
Background:
The FA Cup, one of the oldest and most prestigious football competitions in the world, enters its third round on Sunday, January 8th, 2023. Premier League giants Chelsea will host League Two side Morecambe at Stamford Bridge, hoping to kickstart their season after a string of disappointing results.
Chelsea, currently eighth in the Premier League, have struggled for consistency this season. They have won just two of their last six matches, including a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to Manchester City in the Premier League.
Morecambe, meanwhile, are enjoying a solid season in League Two, sitting in 12th place. They have won four of their last five matches, including a 3-0 victory over Exeter City in the FA Cup second round.
Predicted Lineups:
Chelsea are expected to field a squad comprised of fringe players, with Reece James and Romeo Lavia likely to return from injury layoffs. Morecambe will likely start their strongest lineup, hoping to cause an upset.
Key Players:
Match Details:
Top 5 FAQs:
1. Who is favored to win the match? Chelsea is the clear favorite to win the match, given their superior squad depth and experience.
2. Has Morecambe ever defeated Chelsea before? No, Morecambe has never defeated Chelsea in an official match.
3. What is the prize money for winning the FA Cup third round? The prize money for winning the FA Cup third round is £135,000.
4. Which streaming services will show the match live? The match will be shown live on ITV in the UK and ESPN+ in the United States.
5. What is the record for the most FA Cup titles won by a single team? Arsenal holds the record for the most FA Cup titles, with 14.
South Africa emerged victorious in the first Test against India with a thrilling 30-run win, taking a 0-1 lead in the multi-format series. Captain Temba Bavuma expressed his excitement after the win and talked about his personal record when playing in India. He also mentioned the team's strategy to exploit the conditions and credited his own adaptability for his performance in the match. With this much-needed win, South Africa has announced its presence in the series with a strong statement.
After South Africa's victory over India in the first Test, Bumrah made a point to approach Bavuma and clear the air about their 'bauna hai' comment, which had sparked a social media uproar. The Indian pacer's comforting gesture, with his arm around the South African skipper, showed sportsman spirit and brought closure to the issue. Simon Harmer's four-wicket haul and Washington Sundar's lone resistance of 31 runs were the highlights of the match.
South Africa pulled off a remarkable victory against India in the first Test of the two-match series, with Simon Harmer taking eight wickets. India, missing their key batsman Shubman Gill, failed to chase down 124 runs as they were bowled out for 93. South Africa's skipper Temba Bavuma also played a crucial role, scoring an unbeaten 55 to guide his team to victory on a challenging pitch.
India's Captain Shubman Gill sustained a neck injury while batting in the first test against South Africa, and was forced to leave the field midway through the match. After being ruled out of the first test, team coach Gautam Gambhir stated that Gill's availability for the second test will be determined after the physio's assessment. In Gill's absence, Rishabh Pant took charge of the team and led them to a shocking defeat against the visitors. With the series tied at 1-0, the Indian team will have to make a comeback in the second test, for which Gill's availability is uncertain.
Punjab Kings, one of the most consistent teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), have surprised the fans and experts by releasing star players Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell ahead of the next month's auction. The duo, along with three other players, were not retained by the franchise despite their impressive performances in the last season. Sharing the reason behind the decision, head coach Ricky Ponting revealed that the availability of Inglis for the entire tournament was the main concern.
With 17 key players retained, including captain Axar Patel and overseas stars Mitchell Starc and Tristan Stubbs, Delhi Capitals are gearing up for the IPL 2026 auction. The team is looking to strengthen their squad with five overseas players and a pace-bowling all-rounder, an opening partner for KL Rahul, a middle-overs backup batter for Stubbs, and a couple of domestic options. The Capitals are confident in their coaching team and scouting network's ability to identify the right talent to complement their core group. Co-owner Kiran Kumar Grandhi and Parth Jindal express excitement for an exciting auction and building a balanced team for the upcoming season.
In a surprising move, Kolkata Knight Riders have parted ways with one of their biggest players, Andre Russell, right before the team retentions. Russell, who has been an important member of the team since 2014, will now enter the auction in mid-December. Meanwhile, the Chennai Super Kings have also been making headlines with their trades and releases, including parting ways with young talent Matheesha Pathirana. Stay tuned for more updates.
The Chennai Super Kings are shaking up their squad as they prepare for the upcoming IPL season with the release of young Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana. While the team may be looking to get him back at a lower price in the mini auction, his recent performance and a change in bowling action may have prompted the decision. This move also gives CSK an extra Rs 13 crore in their budget as they look to build a stronger squad.
On Friday, the Chennai Super Kings made a key decision to release Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana from their squad, just a year after retaining him for a whopping Rs 13 crore. Concerns over his fitness and a recently modified action that has affected his performance led the franchise to let go of the youngster and look for alternative options. With the upcoming IPL auctions, CSK will have a chance to strengthen their bowling attack with another pacer to complement their death over specialist Nathan Ellis. Along with Pathirana, the franchise is also set to release four other players, including Devon Conway, Vijay Shankar, Deepak Hooda, and Rahul Tripathi. Stay updated with the latest sports news and live updates on ongoing matches.
The Lucknow Super Giants have shaken up their roster by acquiring Mohammed Shami and Arjun Tendulkar through trades with Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians, respectively. They also made a significant trade with Delhi Capitals, bringing in local boy Nitish Rana while sending out powerhouse Donovan Ferreira. These moves, along with several others, are setting the stage for an exciting IPL 2026 season.