Chelsea will be looking to get off to a winning start in the FA Cup later today when the Blues welcome League Two Morecambe to Stamford Bridge.

The beginning of the new year means the return of the FA Cup for Premier League clubs, with Chelsea looking to go one better than last season when they lost 1-0 to Manchester City in the semi-finals. But, it all begins in the third round for Enzo Maresca's side, with the Blues desperate for a win after going four games in a row without one.

Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace in their last outing, leaving the Blues fourth in the Premier League table. League Two Morecambe have struggled this season, with two wins in their last three games only just taking them off the bottom of the table.

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As we've seen in the Carabao Cup and Conference League this season, Maresca is expected to heavily rotate his side. So, can Chelsea push for the FA Cup trophy this season? Let's take a look.

We simulated Chelsea vs Morecambe to get a score prediction

To complete this simulation, we used EA FC 25 and updated the squads with the latest injuries, suspensions and transfers.

We predict that Chelsea could set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Jorgensen; James, Disasi, Tosin, Veiga; Dewsbury-Hall, Lavia; Madueke, Nkunku, Felix; Guiu.

We predict that Morecambe could set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Burgoyne; Hendrie, Williams, Stott, Tutonda; White, Jones; Tollitt, Songo'o, Slew; Dackers.

A shock start from the Morecambe almost saw them take the lead, but Filip Jorgensen was forced into making three really big saves in the opening 10 minutes, with the Blues taken back by the visitor's positive start. After the early wave of Morecambe chances, Chelsea started to gain control, and with 38 minutes on the clock, Maresca's side went ahead.

Joao Felix did fantastic on the right as he carried the ball from the halfway line to the box, with the Portugal international evading three challenges in the process. Felix found Christopher Nkunku in the box, and a fantastic turn saw the Frenchman kill the ball before curling into the top corner to make it 1-0.

Just after the restart, Nkunku grabbed a second, this time tapping home from a few yards out as he met Reece James' driven cross at the front post. Harry Burgoyne was in fine form for Morecambe as he made some wonderful saves to limit Chelsea to two goals, but there was nothing he could do when Felix got on the scoresheet in added time.

Noni Madueke picked out Joao Felix on the edge of the box, and the forward's first-time shot deflected off the defender's leg, taking the ball past the outstretched 'keeper and into the bottom corner to book the Blues' spot in the FA Cup fourth round.

EA FC 24 predicted final score: Chelsea 3-0 Morecambe

What do you think the final score will be? Let us know in the comments!