As the clock ticks toward Tuesday evening at a sold-out LNER Stadium, Lincoln City and Chelsea prepare to meet in the third round of the Carabao Cup—a contest that, on paper, places League One underdogs against the blue-chip giants of the Premier League. But cup competitions are the cradle of English football’s great upsets, and Lincoln City, bolstered by recent form and fervent home support, will believe they can write yet another chapter into the tournament’s folklore.
Recent Form: Two Sides, Diverging Paths
Lincoln City enter this contest surging with quiet confidence. Michael Skubala’s side have conceded just three times in their last six matches, a run punctuated by a gritty 1-0 away victory at Burton Albion last Saturday—testament to their ability to absorb pressure and strike on the counter. Their recent results reveal a side that knows how to avoid defeat: a 1-0 cup win at Burton Albion on August 26 followed by unbeaten league matches, including a 2-2 thriller against Wigan and stoic 1-1 draws against both Mansfield and Bolton. A 3-0 win over Notts County in the Vertu Trophy Northern Group D showcased their ability to ignite in attack as well as shut up shop at the back.
Chelsea, meanwhile, arrive nursing bruises—both physical and reputational. After a sizzling early Premier League campaign, capped with a 5-1 demolition of West Ham and a composed 2-0 win over Fulham, Mauricio Pochettino’s side have faltered. A 1-3 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League last week underscored nagging defensive frailties, and their 2-2 draw against Brentford days before revealed a side perhaps still searching for rhythm and killer instinct in the final third.
Recent Encounters: The Chasm—Or Is It?
Recent history between these teams is nearly nonexistent—a chasm that underscores the very magic of such a cup tie. While Chelsea’s visits to clubs like Lincoln are rare outside of early-round domestic cups, fixtures like these have produced more than their share of drama and headlines.
The last time these sides met in a competitive fixture dates back decades, making Tuesday’s encounter a near-historic occasion. For the home supporters, it is the kind of night that recalls Lincoln City’s famous 2016-17 FA Cup run, where they felled Premier League opposition and reached the last eight—a timely reminder that underdogs can, and do, prevail, especially on home soil.
Key Players: Who Could Make the Difference
Lincoln City
- Ben House: With a knack for decisive goals in tight encounters, House has been instrumental in Lincoln’s scoring output. He netted the crucial winner at Burton and remains Skubala’s go-to man in moments of need.
- Reeco Hackett-Fairchild: Partnering House, Hackett-Fairchild’s pace has troubled League One backlines all season. His ability to stretch defences and pop up in unexpected spaces gives Lincoln an added dimension in attack.
- Paudie O’Connor: At the heart of defence, O’Connor’s leadership and aerial prowess have anchored Lincoln’s stingy back line during their unbeaten run. His ability to organize under pressure will be vital if Lincoln are to hold Chelsea at bay.
Chelsea
- Christopher Nkunku: The French attacking midfielder has become Chelsea’s creative catalyst, his close control and eye for goal providing the spark for a side sometimes accused of lacking incisiveness. Nkunku not only scores but orchestrates—the man most likely to shatter Lincoln’s resistance.
- Raheem Sterling: Sterling’s recent performances have reminded observers of his enduring class. Direct, explosive, and now reconnected with goal, Sterling struck twice in Chelsea’s 5-1 rout of West Ham and also netted against Fulham, further establishing himself as Pochettino’s attacking leader.
- Cole Palmer: The summer signing has made an immediate impact, notching key assists and showing maturity beyond his years in big moments. His vision and versatility make him a wildcard in Chelsea’s attacking permutations—a potential game-changer off the bench if rotation is in play.
What Their Last Games Tell Us
Lincoln’s 1-0 win at Burton Albion last week was emblematic of their approach: disciplined, organized, clinical. The Imps soaked up pressure, struck through Ben House, and saw out the game with a steely resolve. Their defensive line, marshaled by O’Connor, rarely buckled—a trait that could frustrate a Chelsea side used to dictating terms.
Chelsea’s 1-3 capitulation at Bayern Munich was a wake-up call. Despite an early flurry, defensive errors and lapses in concentration proved fatal. Bayern exposed gaps on the flanks and forced errors from Chelsea’s central midfielders—a blueprint Lincoln will have studied carefully. Domestically, the 2-2 draw at Brentford underscored similar issues: Chelsea’s tendency to dominate possession yet leave themselves vulnerable in transition.
The X-Factor: Home Crowd and Cup Chaos
A packed LNER Stadium—with tickets having sold out days in advance—guarantees a feverish atmosphere. For Lincoln City, the communal roar under floodlights is more than background noise; it is a twelfth man that can galvanize familiarity and courage against star-studded visitors. Chelsea have the pedigree, but Lincoln have the narrative—and in the cauldron of a knockout cup night, tales of unlikely heroes abound.
Broader Implications: More Than Just a Cup Tie
For Lincoln, a win would be seismic, galvanizing their League One campaign and reinforcing a new era of belief under Skubala. It could serve as a launching pad for a deep cup run, bring added revenue, and elevate the club’s reputation nationwide.
For Chelsea, early domestic silverware remains a critical barometer for Pochettino’s project. Progression is expected—failure would stoke doubts about the squad’s character and the manager’s direction, especially after the sobering defeat in Europe. This cup is a chance to build momentum, rotate fringe players, and perhaps cultivate belief from a fanbase accustomed to chasing silverware on all fronts.
Predicted Line-Ups
Lincoln City (4-2-3-1):
- Jensen; Eyoma, O’Connor (c), Jackson, Roughan; Hamilton, Virtue; Hackett-Fairchild, Erhahon, Mandroiu; House
Chelsea (4-2-3-1):
- Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, Chilwell; Ugochukwu, Caicedo; Sterling, Nkunku, Madueke; Jackson
Expect Pochettino to rotate, with squad players eager to stake their claim—yet the spine of Chelsea quality remains daunting.
Sizzling Prediction: Lincoln to Seize Their Moment
Everything—form, history, the financial gulf—says Chelsea should stroll through. But football, especially at nights like this, rarely reads the script. With a tight, compact approach, a bounce from the home crowd, and weaknesses exposed in Chelsea’s last two outings, Lincoln City are uniquely positioned to spring the season’s most audacious upset. The Imps have tasted giant-killing before; Chelsea arrive with vulnerability in the air.
On Tuesday night, expect drama. And don’t be surprised if it’s Lincoln City’s name written into the next round—proof that in English football, the impossible remains forever within reach.