Plymouth Argyle has much to prove this season to themselves to their supporters as well as the people who do not believe they can finally reach the Championship. Sitting in the seventh position currently in League One the third division of English football so far it has the way the defense that has dictated most matches that lead to the resurgence of this team that was a staple of English football in the early days. They place both in the top sixth in the goal difference and goals scored showing how lethal they can be in both facets of the game the challenge they now face, will be how they contain the stars they Chelsea can deploy at any moment in order to deal with this potential threat.
Chelsea can not employ an attitude nor arrogance, due to the depth issues that continue that seem to ravage Chelsea this year as they patiently wait to become a healthy team once again. The key injury concern for Chelsea going forward will be all the fixtures they have coming up this second half of the season. Chelsea are still in the thick of every major chance for a trophy and with Champions League play resuming here soon it will be interesting to see what formation Thomas Tuchel utilizes in order to get the place from his players.
Plymouth Argyle should not be underestimated one bit, in doing so would result in an untimely exit from the FA Cup for Chelsea which in a fourth-round matchup seems highly unlikely. The lineup for this match could go a couple different ways, Tuchel is an optimistic manager and does not take risks unless he needs to. Saul who has had a recent resurgence should start this match with his form recently. Andres Christensen, Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilcueta and Trevor Chaloboah could feature.
Tuchel could go strong to build rhythm and to face a team looking to upset the European giant. As I mentioned earlier the Blues have a ton of fixtures coming up so look for Chelsea to rest Kovacic Jorginho and to have Timo Werner come off the bench when needed. Chelsea’s February is jam packed, the most important being the semifinal of the FIFA Club World Cup which is not too far away. My score prediction is 3-0 Chelsea.
How to watch Chelsea vs Plymouth on TV/live stream
When is kick off? Saturday 5 February, 12:30 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Stamford Bridge
TV channel/live stream? BBC iPlayer (UK), ESPN (US)
Highlights? FA Cup YouTube channel, BBC FA Cup Highlights (10.30pm – BBC One)
Referee? Simon Hooper
VAR? Mike Dean
Chelsea team news
The Blues’ treatment room is beginning to clear up after a winter period where Tuchel lamented his side’s injury crisis.
The German will still be without Reece James and Ben Chilwell, although he is likely to welcome Andreas Christensen back into the fold after his Covid-19 infection.
Edouard Mendy remains on African Cup of Nations duty with Senegal, although Trevoh Chalobah returned to the squad for the win over Spurs.
Plymouth team news
Argyle completed the deadline day signing of Steven Sessegnon – twin brother of Tottenham’s Ryan Sessegnon – on loan from Fulham in a boost ahead of this weekend’s clash.
Plymouth also added to their squad with the arrivals of Alfie Lewis and Romoney Crichlow, both of which are expected to be involved at Stamford Bridge.
