Chelsea vs Charlton FA Cup third round match details as the Blues’ will be under new manager Liam Rosenior.
What Fans Need To Know Before Charlton vs Chelsea Kickoff?
Saturday night at The Valley will mark a start of a new chapter for Chelsea. New head coach Liam Rosenior will be taking charge of the Blues for the first time. The Premier League club is facing a Charlton side low on confidence. But, they are desperate to respond in the FA Cup third round.
Charlton Current Form in the League
Charlton Athletic come into this football contest after a tough run of games. Nathan Jones’s side sit 19th in the Championship after winning just two of their last 14 league matches. A team that once seen for the playoff places has slipped badly. Now, they find themselves only five points above the relegation zone.
Only bottom club Sheffield Wednesday have collected fewer points in that time. That shows how sharp Charlton’s decline has been this season. Performances have been lacking control during key games. In addition, goals have been hard to come by. Given that, this adds pressure ahead of a visit from PL opposition.
Chelsea Current Form in the League
Chelsea’s season has also taken a sharp turn in the last few months. Once seen as potential Premier League title contenders, the Blues have fallen down the table. This comes after managing just one win in their last nine league games. That poor run led to Enzo Maresca’s exit. Not to forget he won the November Manager of the Month award.
On paper, the West London club arrive as clear favorites despite their league struggles. Their squad depth and individual quality should be too much for Charlton to handle.
Now, under Liam Rosenior, Chelsea arrive in south London looking to reset. While league form has dipped, the FA Cup offers a fresh chance. This is an opportunity to restore belief among players and fans.
Team Updates From Charlton
Charlton are dealing with several key absences at this point. Kayne Ramsay and Onel Hernandez are both out with hamstring injuries. Meanwhile, Josh Edwards is ruled out with an ankle problem. Matty Godden continues to recover from a knee blow.
Jones is expected to stick to his preferred system with a back three and wing-backs. James Bree and Tyreece Campbell are likely to offer width. Lloyd Jones, Amari’i Bell and either Macaulay Gillesphey or Reece Burke will make up the defensive trio.
Team Updates From Chelsea
Chelsea will be without Marc Cucurella for this clash. He is serving a one-match ban after his red card in the midweek defeat to Fulham. Levi Colwill remains out with an ACL injury, while Romeo Lavia, Dario Essugo are also unavailable. Also, Mykhaylo Mudryk remains suspended.
Rosenior is expected to try make few changes in the lineup. Filip Jorgensen should come in for Robert Sanchez in goal, with Jorrel Hato also in at left-back. The new boss will have to take a call on whether to start Reece James or Moises Caicedo. They can play in a deeper midfield role alongside Andrey Santos.
Head-to-Head Results
Last 10 Games (All Competitions):
Charlton Draw Chelsea
1 1 8
Charlton and Chelsea have met many times across league and cup competitions, with Chelsea holding the stronger overall record. The Blues have often had the edge in recent meetings, using their quality and depth to control games against their London rivals.
However, FA Cup ties can ignore history. Charlton will look to past upsets for belief, while Chelsea will aim to avoid any slip against lower-league opposition.
Where To Watch Charlton vs Chelsea?
The Charlton vs Chelsea FA Cup tie will be available to watch live on official broadcast partners covering domestic cup football. Fans can also follow live updates, commentary, and match highlights through club websites and trusted football platforms.
Nigeria – DStv Now, SuperSport Premier League Nigeria, SuperSport MaXimo 1 & 2
USA – ESPN Select, fuboTV, ESPN App
Kenya – DStv Now, GO TV, SuperSport Premier League ROA, SuperSport MaXimo 1 & 2
UK –TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate, discovery+, discovery+ App, TalkSport Radio UK, BBC Radio 5 Live
India – Sony Liv
Charlton Injury and Suspension List:
Player Injury / Reason Expected Return Date
Reece Burke Muscle Late January 2026
Onel Hernandez Muscle Mid January 2026
Kayne Ramsay Calf Mid January 2026
J. Edwards Ankle Mid January 2026
M. Godden Knee Mid January 2026
Chelsea Injury and Suspension List:
Player Injury / Reason Expected Return Date
Andrey Santos Knock Late January 2026
Romeo Lavia Thigh Mid January 2026
Dario Essugo Thigh Mid January 2026
Lewi Colwill ACL Late April 2026
Marc Cucurella Suspended (Red Card) Mid January 2026
Player to Watch: Charlton
Sonny Carey has been the key man for Charlton. The midfielder is the club’s top scorer this season with five goals. He brings energy and drive from the middle of the park. His battle against Chelsea’s midfield could tell how long his side stays in the game.
Player to Watch: Chelsea
Joao Pedro is one to keep a close eye on for this contest. He has been involved in seven goals in his last four FA Cup starts with former clubs. He knows how to deliver on this stage. His positioning and finishing could trouble Charlton’s back three throughout the game.
Predicted Lineups
Charlton Athletic:
Kaminski; Gillesphey, Jones, Bell; Bree, Docherty, Coventry, Carey, Campbell; Leaburn, Kelman
Chelsea:
Jorgensen; Acheampong, Fofana, Badiashile, Hato; Caicedo, Santos; Gittens, Estevao, Garnacho; Pedro