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.
After suffering a shocking defeat in the EFL Cup last week, Arsenal faced another disappointing cup result on Sunday when they were eliminated by Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup. Despite having a man advantage for half of the match, the Gunners failed to capitalize on their numerous opportunities, with their lack of a true striker once again highlighting a major issue for the team. As they face a crucial North London Derby on Wednesday, Mikel Arteta will need to find a solution to their attacking woes to avoid a crisis.
In a recent by-election held at the BCCI's Special General Meeting, Devajit Saikia and Prabhtej Singh Bhatia were elected as the new secretary and treasurer, respectively. BCCI president Roger Binny praised their appointments and expressed confidence in their administrative and financial skills. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla also welcomed the new appointments, stating that they are the perfect choices for their new roles. The overwhelming support from state associations also shows a collective commitment to taking Indian cricket to greater heights.
In a thrilling Indian Super League match, Kerala Blasters came away with a 3-2 win over Odisha FC, thanks to a last-gasp goal from Noah Sadaoui. The match was evenly matched, with both teams scoring two goals each, until Sadaoui's late winner in the fifth minute of added time. The Juggernauts are now four games without a win, while Sadaoui continues his impressive record of scoring in all seven games in which he has found the back of the net this season. Kwame Peprah and Jesus Jimenez also scored for Blasters, while Jerry Mawihmingthanga and Dori scored for Odisha FC.
Real Madrid is determined to avenge their 4-0 defeat against Barcelona in the previous Clasico, as they face off in the Supercopa final. The Spanish giants have had a successful season so far, winning the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. However, Barcelona has had a tough time lately, only winning one of their last seven league fixtures. With the help of young talents such as Jude Bellingham and Lamine Yamal, both teams will battle it out for the Supercopa trophy. Football fans in Russia can catch the action for free on MatchTV.ru.
In an intense Indian Super League match, Kerala Blasters and Odisha FC gave a thrilling performance, with Noah Sadaoui scoring the winning goal in the fifth minute of added time. The Kochi-based team put up a tough fight, with goals from Kwame Peprah and Jesus Jimenez, but Jerry Mawihmingthanga and Dori's goals were not enough for Odisha FC. This was Noah's seventh goal this season, as the team continued their unbeaten streak whenever he scored. Kerala Blasters' Kwame Peprah also made a crucial equaliser in the 60th minute, showcasing the team's determination to secure a win.
Manchester City's Nathan Ake reveals that losing captain Kyle Walker would have a major impact on the team's performance. City boss Pep Guardiola confirms that Walker has asked to leave the club, with transfer speculation linking him to both AC Milan and Inter Milan. This news comes after Saturday's 8-0 FA Cup third round victory over Salford City.
After a dominant performance by Karun Nair, Vidarbha secures a spot in the semi-finals of the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy. Nair, who is often overlooked in international cricket, continues to shine in domestic cricket with an unbeaten 122 runs off 82 deliveries. This takes him to the top of the run-scorers' list in the VHT and his team to a comfortable nine-wicket win over Rajasthan.
Former tennis legend John McEnroe sparks controversy with his theory that Andy Murray's coaching partnership with Novak Djokovic is a ploy for Murray's own comeback. In an entertaining and candid interview with Eurosport, McEnroe drew dramatic reactions from his co-hosts and shed light on the unlikely partnership between the two tennis superstars. While McEnroe's theory is met with skepticism, it raises questions about the dynamics of the Murray-Djokovic relationship and adds an interesting twist to the highly-anticipated matches between the two players.
Former world No 1 Mats Wilander praises Novak Djokovic's performance in his first round match against Nishesh Basavareddy at the 2020 Australian Open, assessing that the Serbian has a strong chance to win the tournament in 2025. Despite a rocky start, Djokovic was able to overcome the American wildcard in four sets, with Wilander noting how he was taken aback by the underdog's skills on the court. With this victory, Djokovic joins Roger Federer as the only two men in history to have played the most Grand Slam matches. As Djokovic continues his quest for an 11th Australian Open title, he looks to join a select group of four men who have won three hard-court majors in a row, including Federer.
In a highly anticipated match at the Australian Open, top-ranked tennis player Novak Djokovic faced off against young American Nishesh Basavareddy, who counts Djokovic as his idol. Basavareddy, whose parents immigrated from India, put up a strong fight in the first set, showcasing his promising skills and earning high praise from Djokovic himself. This close encounter is just the latest in the promising young player's journey, from picking up tennis in Indiana to competing at the Division 1 NCAA level and earning grants from fellow Indian-origin player Rajeev Ram.