Chelsea v Peterborough: Zouma & Michy to start as the Blues look to bounce back
By: Timothy Dehinbo
Antonio Conte’s Chelsea hosts Peterborough at stamford bridge on Sunday evening, in a third fa cup clash.
Kurt Zouma is set to start for Chelsea in their FA Cup third-round clash with Peterborough on Sunday after 11 months out with injury.
The defender has not featured for the Blues since suffering a knee injury against Manchester United in February 2016. But Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte said:”He’s ready to start. I’m pleased for him. He deserves to start the game. “Also for him it is a good opportunity to show me he’s in good form and to give me another opportunity when I go to choose the starting XI.”
Conte also plans to start Michy Batshuayi for the first time since October as Chelsea look to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat to Tottenham which ended their 13-game winning run in the Premier League.
Chelsea are not close to bringing in new players during the January transfer window, according to head coach Antonio Conte, Peterborough are eighth in League One and undefeated since November 22.
“We have nothing to lose,” said Posh manager Grant McCann. “So we will try and get between Chelsea’s lines, win some corners and get some shots off on goal. We will try and play on the front foot, like we do in every game.
Chelsea boss Conte is set to rotate his team, with Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and David Luiz likely to be rested. Forgotten Club captain John Terry, is a potential starter.
Midfielder Brad Inman should return to the Peterborough squad after missing Monday’s draw at League One leaders Scunthorpe. Recent signings Martin Samuelsen and Dominic Ball could feature for the visitors.
Chelsea have not been eliminated from the FA Cup at the third round stage since 1997-98, when they lost to 5-3 to Manchester United.
The Blues have lost just one of their last 35 FA Cup home games against lower-league opposition – this was their surprise 4-2 defeat to Bradford City in 2014-15.
Peterborough have shipped five goals in both of their previous FA Cup games against Chelsea – 5-1 in the sixth round in 1965 and 5-0 in the third round in 2001.
Chelsea have scored in all 39 FA Cup games that they have played at home since January 2000.
Chelsea’s last five goals in the FA Cup have all been scored by different players (Hazard,
Gary Cahill, Costa, Bertrand Traore and Willian).
Peterborough haven’t beaten a top-flight side in the FA Cup since defeating Arsenal in the fourth round in 1965, losing 19 ties since.
Chelsea is going to annihilate Peterborough when they face off on Sunday evening.
PREDICTION: CHELSEA 5-0 PETERBOROUGH
