Line-ups, stats and preview including TV, live stream, team news and FA Cup prediction
Chelsea return to FA Cup action on Saturday evening as they host League One strugglers Port Vale at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are enduring a difficult spell under Liam Rosenior, having lost their last four matches across all competitions. Their Champions League campaign ended in heavy fashion against Paris Saint-Germain, while domestic defeats to Newcastle and Everton have not made things any easier.
With their league position leaving Champions League qualification uncertain, the FA Cup represents Chelsea’s only realistic route to silverware this season. They have a strong recent record at this stage, winning their last six quarter-final ties.
Port Vale, by contrast, arrive as the competition’s lowest-ranked remaining side. Despite sitting bottom of League One, their cup run has been impressive, highlighted by a shock victory over Sunderland in the previous round.
Under Jon Brady, the Valiants are aiming to reach their first FA Cup semi-final since 1954, although the scale of the challenge at Stamford Bridge is significantly larger than anything they have faced so far.
Chelsea v Port Vale team news
Chelsea remain without several first-team players, including Reece James and Mykhaylo Mudryk, but Benoit Badiashile could return after illness.
Rotation is expected, with attacking options such as Liam Delap and Marc Guiu pushing for starts. Young talents may also feature, particularly if key figures like Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez are rested.
Port Vale are dealing with injuries of their own, with Ben Heneghan and Jayden Stockley unavailable. Onel Hernandez is pushing for a start after recent substitute appearances.
Ben Waine, who scored the winner against Sunderland, is expected to lead the attack once again.
