Chelsea‘s Carabao Cup campaign begins on Tuesday night with a third-round tie away at League One outfit Lincoln City, a fixture that has taken on added importance for the Blues. Enzo Maresca’s side enters the match on the back of a three-game winless streak, including a disappointing Premier League defeat at Old Trafford on Saturday, and will be desperate to return to winning ways.
While the Blues are struggling for form, their hosts are flying high. Michael Skubala’s side have enjoyed a fine start to the 2025–26 campaign, with just one defeat from their opening nine league outings leaving them third in the table. A stunning victory here would see them progress into the fourth round of this competition for just the third time in their history.
Team news and lineups
There’s no doubt that Maresca will make full use of his squad on Tuesday night, with the Chelsea boss poised to rotate heavily from Saturday‘s defeat at Old Trafford. Robert Sánchez is unavailable due to suspension, meaning Filip Jörgensen will deputise in goal. Alejandro Garnacho is expected to make his first start for the club, while Marc Guiu will likely lead the line, having been recalled from his loan spell. Cole Palmer aggravated a groin injury at the weekend and is out, while Benoît Badiashile and Roméo Lavia also remain unavailable.
The hosts may be reliant on a young frontline to spearhead a potential upset, with Dom Jefferies a doubt and Jack Moylan confirmed to be out with an ankle issue.
Lincoln predicted lineup vs. Chelsea (4-3-3): Jeacock; Montsma, Jackson, Bradley, Reach; House, Barbrook, Ring; Thorn, Draper, Okoronkwo.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs. Lincoln (4-2-3-1): Jörgensen; Gusto, Tosin, Acheampong, Hato; Santos, Fernández; Garnacho, Buonanotte, Gittens; Guiu.
Score prediction
Lincoln City will be able to draw inspiration from Grimsby Town, after the League Two side knocked Man Utd out of the competition in the second round. However, Maresca’s squad is laden with quality all the way through, and his rotated XI is set to look pretty strong on Tuesday night. This match serves as a potential banana skin for Chelsea, but it is also a golden opportunity to restore confidence and give valuable minutes to promising fringe players. The sheer talent available to Maresca should see the Premier League side safely through to the fourth round.
Prediction: Lincoln 0–2 Chelsea