Chelsea vs Morecambe LIVE!

Chelsea play at home for the first time this year as they face League Two outfit Morecambe in the FA Cup third round. Only once since 1998 have the Blues failed to progress past this stage of the competition and it would be a massive shock if they are knocked out this afternoon.

Though Enzo Maresca's side are without a victory in their last four Premier League games, a cup tie at home against struggling lower league opposition should provide the perfect platform to get back on track as Chelsea aim to win the FA Cup for the first time since 2018 after suffering three successive final losses between 2020 and 2022.

Morecambe currently sit second from bottom in the League Two table and four points from safety. Despite beating Tranmere Rovers 10 days ago, they have lost three of their last five matches without scoring. Kick-off at Stamford Bridge is at 3pm GMT. Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog below, featuring expert insight and analysis from Malik Ouzia at the ground.

Chelsea vs Morecambe latest news

• Chelsea XI: James captains side, Lavia returns

• Morecambe XI: Williams starts

• Kick-off: 3pm GMT | Stamford Bridge

• How to watch Chelsea vs Morecambe

• Score prediction: Big Chelsea win

No VAR this afternoon

14:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

VAR will not be in operation during Chelsea and Morecambe's FA Cup third round tie at Stamford Bridge.

In fact, VAR will not feature in the competition until round five.

'Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will only be used in the 2024-25 Emirates FA Cup from the Fifth Round onwards,’ the FA confirmed in a statement.

'It has been agreed that VAR will be utilised for every match in the Fifth Round of the competition through to the Final at Wembley Stadium, and will not be in operation for the Third and Fourth Rounds.

'VAR has only been used in the Emirates FA Cup previously for matches at Wembley Stadium and at Premier League grounds due to the infrastructure, workforce and costs that are required for its operation.

'This decision ensures that there is a consistent refereeing approach for all clubs taking part in the same stage of the competition.'

Around the grounds...

14:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Nine FA Cup third round ties have already taken place. Routine win for Liverpool as Graham Potter suffers defeat in his first game as West Ham manager.

Everton 2-0 Peterborough

Fulham 4-1 Watford

Sheffield United 0-1 Cardiff City

Wycombe 2-0 Portsmouth

Aston Villa 2-1 West Ham

Middlesbrough 0-1 Blackburn

Birmingham 2-1 Lincoln

Bristol City 1-2 Wolves

Liverpool 4-0 Accrington Stanley

Chilwell absence explained

14:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Enzo Maresca says he did not talk to Ben Chilwell before deciding to deny him a potential Chelsea farewell against Morecambe this weekend.

Maresca confirmed on Friday that Chilwell, along with midfielders Carney Chukwuemeka and Cesare Casadei, would play no part at Stamford Bridge because of the likelihood that he will leave the club this month.

Read the full story here!

Chelsea changes

14:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Make that 10 changes to the Chelsea side that drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace last weekend as Pedro Neto is the only player to keep his place.

Reece James and Romeo Lavia are back after injury as Christopher Nkunku, Joao Felix and Marc Guiu all start.

Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge

14:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Reece James and Romeo Lavia are back for Chelsea as Enzo Maresca names an attacking lineup.

Morecambe team in full

14:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Morecambe XI: Burgoyne; Hendrie, Williams, Stott, Tutonda; White, Jones; Tollitt, Songo'o, Edwards; Dackers

Subs: Scales, Taylor, Lewis, Macadam, Slew, Lewis, Dobson, Hope, Angol

Chelsea team in full

14:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; James (c), Disasi, Tosin, Veiga; Lavia, Joao Felix; Neto, Nkunku, George; Guiu

Substitutes: Sanchez, Gusto, Acheampong, Colwill, Cucurella, Fernandez, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson

Morecambe team news

14:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

And lining up for the visitors...

Chelsea XI

14:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Here’s how Chelsea lineup this afternoon...

Team news imminent

13:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Reece James, Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho are among the big names spotted arriving at Stamford Bridge.

We are expecting the team news to be announced shortly.

Stay tuned...

Maresca pleased with reaction

13:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has reason for encouragement ahead of this afternoon's FA Cup third round tie against Morecambe.

Despite seeing his side fail to win in four, the Italian says the reason from his players has been "very good".

"The reaction is not weird or strange," Maresca told reporters. "The reaction is a good one.

"Even in the last game against Palace that we drew, the mood was not the best in the changing room at the final whistle because they have the desire to win all the games. This is something very good."

In the building...

13:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

The Blues are back home for the first time in 2025.

We will have team news in around 15 minutes...

A message from the captain

13:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Morecambe captain Yann Songo'o has urged his teammates to show belief as they target a monumental cup upset this afternoon.

Maresca makes Guehi admission

13:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Enzo Maresca has admitted his admiration for Chelsea transfer target Marc Guehi and has not ruled out a recall for Trevoh Chalobah.

The Blues could be forced into the transfer market this month for defensive additions with centre-back duo Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile both currently sidelined with long-term injuries.

Read his full quotes here!

Predicted Chelsea XI

13:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Enzo Maresca confirmed on Friday that both Reece James and Romeo Lavia are fit to play after their respective hamstring injuries.

However, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is out injured, while Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile remain long-term absentees.

That set of circumstances could pave the way for academy graduate Samuel Rak-Sakyi to start in midfield.

Predicted Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; James, Acheampong, Disasi, Veiga; Lavia, Rak-Sakyi; Madueke, Nkunku, Felix; Guiu

Chelsea transfer news

13:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Coventry City manager Frank Lampard is looking to raid former club Chelsea with a loan move for Sam Rak-Sakyi.

Talks are scheduled for next week after the West Midlands club made initial contact over a deal to take the 19-year-old on loan for the rest of the season.

Read the full story here!

Shooting practice

13:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Chelsea have certainly been wasteful in front of goal in their last four matches.

So it's no surprise there was an extra focus on shooting during yesterday's training session...

Maresca offers Anselmino update

13:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Aaron Anselmino will play no part in the game against Morecambe following his loan recall from Boca Juniors at the start of the month.

The teenage centre-back, who signed from Boca last summer before immediately being sent back to the Argentine outfit to continue his development, has been brought to Cobham in a bid to accelerate his adaptation to English football.

Read the full story here!

Setting the scene

13:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

It may be blue skies, the sun may be shining but it is bitterly cold at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.

Derek Adams not expecting Chelsea surprise

13:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Morecambe manager Derek Adams doesn’t expect Enzo Maresca to go strong with his Chelsea lineup this afternoon.

“I don’t think they will field their strongest starting XI, I might be surprised," Adams told reporters. “The last time, Chelsea put out the strongest team they could on the day; it depends on what the manager thinks.

“Ironically, it’s my second time managing at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup third round and it’s his first time! They have quality players throughout their team. Whoever they play on the day, they have undoubted quality.

“I might rotate, just as Enzo might do with his squad. We haven’t decided yet, it’s a big decision for us.”

Chelsea vs Morecambe latest odds

13:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Chelsea to win: 1/50

Draw (after 90 minutes): 17/1

Morecambe to win: 60/1

Odds via Betfair and subject to change.

Chelsea vs Morecambe: Head to head (h2h) history and results

12:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Chelsea wins: 1

Draws: 0

Morecambe wins: 0

Chelsea won the only previous meeting between the two sides four years ago at this very stage.

Interestingly, the Blues' scorers that afternoon - Mason Mount, Timo Werner, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Kai Havertz - are no longer at the club.

Standard Sport prediction

12:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

It would be a major shock to see Chelsea slip up here.

The second string will be on show and should have no trouble dispatching the goal-shy Shrimps.

Chelsea to win, 3-0.

Morecambe team news

12:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Morecambe have Rhys Williams available after his loan spell from Liverpool was extended. The defender scored in the first round win over Worthing.

Chelsea team news

12:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Both Reece James and Romeo Lavia will be available for this afternoon's tie.

Meanwhile, it would not be a surprise to see youngsters such as Josh Acheampong, Marc Guiu and Tyrique George start as Enzo Maresca continues his rotation policy in the cup competitions.

How to watch Chelsea vs Morecambe

12:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Chelsea vs Morecambe has not been selected for live TV coverage in the UK today.

Read more on that here!

Live stream: Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!

Welcome

12:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Good afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Chelsea vs Morecambe.

The Blues are heavy favourites for this FA Cup third round tie as they look to win the competition for the first time since 2018.

Kick-off from Stamford Bridge is at 3pm GMT.