Chelsea host Port Vale at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, 4 April 2026, in the FA Cup quarter-final, with kick-off scheduled for 5:15 pm BST. Liam Rosenior’s side go into this one looking for their first FA Cup trophy in eight years. Given the recent rough patch they’ve been through, they couldn’t have asked for a better draw.
Chelsea dropped four straight games before the international break, crashed out of Europe against Paris Saint-Germain, and were brushed aside 3-0 by Everton in the league. This makes the FA Cup their only remaining shot at a trophy this season. Port Vale, currently bottom of League One, have managed a giant-killing run to get here. New Zealand’s Ben Waine has been their hero, netting the winner in three straight rounds to keep their dream alive.
Chelsea’s predicted lineup against Port Vale
Filip Jørgensen is fighting to keep his spot in goal, while Marc Cucurella and Romeo Lavia are both back in the mix after injury layoffs. Jørgensen should start, as Rosenior really values his calm presence and ability to play out from the back.
Defensively, Chelsea have been hit hard by injuries. With Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James, and Levi Colwill all sidelined recently, the back four is largely a matter of who is actually fit to play. Cucurella slots in at left-back, with Malo Gusto on the right. It looks like an attacking pair of full-backs, which makes sense against lower-league opposition. Wesley Fofana is still a doubt after taking a hit against Aston Villa; if he passes a fitness test, he’ll partner Tosin Adarabioye in the middle.
In midfield, Romeo Lavia will sit deep and protect the defence, giving the more creative players room to work. Moises Caicedo will likely play next to him in a double pivot to help cover ground and keep the ball moving. Enzo Fernandez is expected to move into a more advanced role, taking on the playmaking duties that Chelsea have leaned on him for lately.
Pedro Neto is back from suspension and should go straight into the attack. His raw pace on the right gives Chelsea a major threat on the break. On the left, Estevao Willian, the club’s standout young talent, gets the start. Rosenior will want to put this game to bed early rather than playing it safe. Joao Pedro might get a breather here, which would give Alejandro Garnacho a chance to lead the line after his big extra-time goal against Wrexham last round.
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Chelsea have put at least four past their opponents in every FA Cup game this season. Even with their recent struggles, the gap between a Premier League squad and a League One side in a relegation scrap is massive. Port Vale will likely sit deep and try to frustrate them, but the sheer quality in Rosenior’s side should be enough to see them through at the Bridge.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Filip Jørgensen; Malo Gusto, Tosin Adarabioye, Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella; Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia; Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernandez, Estevao Willian; Alejandro Garnacho
