Chelsea continue their slow build under Mauricio Pochettino as the Blues host Championship side Preston North End at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Pochettino presided over the club's awful start to the 2023/24 season, but Chelsea have finally started to look slightly more cohesive in recent weeks as they begin to pick up points at a narrowly increased rate.
The Blues still sit 10th in the Premier League table, and the results haven't quite been as stellar as a club of such caliber would expect, but Chelsea look more incisive and seem to be turning the screw more regularly as they build under their demanding new manager.
Preston sit 14th in the Championship table, having started the season well but have dipped in recent weeks, losing three of their last four in league play. They'll be hoping for a monumental upset here to counteract their disappointing showing in the EFL Cup, when they were bounced in the early rounds at the hands of League Two side Salford City.
USA: Click here to see the latest odds for Chelsea vs Preston and bet FA Cup matches
Chelsea vs Preston North End prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: Chelsea (-700)
- Score prediction: Chelsea 4-0 Preston North End
Preston's goal differential of -13 underpins their false standing in the Championship table. They sit 14th, but are buoyed by a host of narrow victories early in the season. Lately, however, it's fallen apart. They were pummeled 4-0 by Middlesborough in late November, with a 5-1 defeat to Watford shortly thereafter. They fell 1-0 to 10-man Sheffield Wednesday in late December, and were beaten 2-0 by Sunderland last time out.
On the other side, Chelsea are slowly improving under Mauricio Pochettino. They are still conceding silly goals with mental lapses, but the attack is beginning to show signs of profit after struggling mightily in front of goal. They were finishing chances at a putrid rate, but have started to make good on their waves of pressure.
All that will combine to make this a one-sided affair, and Chelsea could cause problems through the rest of the season both in the FA Cup and as the Premier League rolls along.
| DraftKings (USA) | |
| Chelsea win (90 mins) | -700 |
| Draw | +700 |
| Preston win (90 mins) | +1300 |
| Both teams to score Y/N | +125 / -155 |
| Over / Under 3.5 goals | +110 / -135 |
| Chelsea to advance | -1200 (FanDuel) |
| Preston to advance | +680 (FanDuel) |
Chelsea vs Preston North End match facts
- Date: Saturday, Jan. 6, 2023
- Kickoff Time: 5:30 p.m. local (12:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. PT)
- Location: Stamford Bridge (London, England)
- Referee: Thomas Bramall, VAR: Tony Harrington
- Last meeting: Preston 0-2 Chelsea (Jan. 23, 2010 | FA Cup 4th round)
Chelsea vs Preston North End best bet
- Pick: Chelsea 19+ total shots
- Odds: +110 (DraftKings)
We're backing Chelsea to start turning things around this season as Mauricio Pochettino finally begins to establish some tactical leverage over his extremely young and patchwork squad. While the end product still lacks, there's a clear intent on the Blues getting shots off and creating chances. As the opportunities flow in front of net, the goals will come.
In the Premier League this season, Chelsea are averaging 13.5 shots per game, around the middle of the field. While that hasn't exactly increased in recent months, the quality of chances certainly has. Chelsea have produced 89 shots in their seven games played since the start of December, still 10th in the English top flight, but their 0.15 xG/shot in that time is best in the league.
Chelsea have reached the 19-shot mark just twice in the league this season, but they have hit at least 16 on eight occasions, and have the propensity to pepper the opposing goal as their form continues to improve.
Chelsea vs Preston North End prop bet
- Pick: Cole Palmer to score or assist a goal
- Odds: -135 (FanDuel)
One of the key catalysts for Chelsea's impending turnaround is Cole Palmer, who has been a revelation for the Blues since arriving from Man City. Moving from a bit-part role as an academy graduate to a full-time position, the 21-year-old has been utterly brilliant in the final third. He is responsible for 2.2 shots per game and 1.6 chances created per game, proving his dual value in both the creativity and finishing departments.
In a match where Chelsea should dominate and the chances abundant, these odds provide solid value on a player who should be a main contributor to Chelsea's attacking intent.
Chelsea vs Preston live stream, TV channel
| Region | TV channel | Streaming |
| USA | — | ESPN+ |
| Canada | Sportsnet | Sportsnet Now |
| UK | — | BBC iPlayer |
The broadcast rights for the 2023/24 FA Cup in the United States are owned by ESPN, with every game across the competition shown on ESPN+.
In the UK, the broadcast rights to this FA Cup match are owned by BBC, who will put the game on their iPlayer streaming service. Sportsnet has the broadcast rights to the competition in Canada.
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