🏏 Sat, 4 Apr 2026 17:15 BST
Chelsea
vs
Port Vale
4-2-3-1 vs 5-3-2
Substitutes
Substitutes
Match Preview
- An FA Cup quarter-final in which League One (third-tier equivalent) Port Vale take on sixth-placed Premier League side Chelsea. Having beaten Fleetwood, Bristol City and Sunderland to reach this stage, it is a landmark tie in Port Vale's history, a dream fixture with the scent of a giant-killing.
- Chelsea's attack is built around Cole Palmer in a 4-5-1. A Manchester City academy graduate, Palmer is a gifted attacker who struck 22 goals in his first season after joining. His left-footed shooting and through-balls are the biggest threat to Port Vale's defence.
- Port Vale set up in a defensive, counter-attacking 5-3-2. The plan is to pack a defensive block with five at the back and entrust counters to the front two of Martin Sherif and New Zealand international Ben Waine. How far they can resist a Premier League side with the organisation honed in League One is the question.
- Chelsea's Lavia is a Belgium international midfielder who joined via Southampton and Manchester City. Meanwhile, Port Vale centre-back Cameron Humphreys came through City's youth set-up. Can players who rose through the lower leagues make their presence felt at Stamford Bridge?
- Chelsea start Estevao. It is a chance for the young Brazilian talent to show his ability on the FA Cup stage. The bench also holds attacking cards in Garnacho and Delap, and the depth of substitutes underlines the Premier League side's advantage.
- Port Vale goalkeeper Joe Gauci stands as the last line of defence. How many shots from Chelsea's top talents the lower-league keeper can repel is the biggest factor that will sway the prospect of an upset.
- Port Vale's Funso Ojo is a PSV academy graduate and a midfield mainstay with international experience across the Netherlands, Belgium and Scotland. Though a third-tier player, his wealth of experience across Europe could come alive on the big cup stage.
- For Chelsea, a win is the basic premise, but in a one-off cup tie anything can happen. Past FA Cups have repeatedly seen lower-league clubs sink famous names, and for Port Vale's supporters it will be a once-in-a-lifetime stage.