North End will head to Stamford Bridge for the first time in 22 years this weekend, facing Chelsea in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup.
Match Details
Date: Saturday 6th January, 5.30pm kick-off
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Competition: Emirates FA Cup Third Round
Kit: Away kit
Supporter Information
Tickets for this fixture are completely sold out, with more than 6,000 PNE supporters making the journey to the Bridge.
No tickets will be available to buy or collect on the day, therefore tickets must be collected from the main Deepdale ticket office before 4pm on Friday 5th January.
There are some disruptions on the London Underground which travelling fans should be aware of. Click here to read more in our matchday information article.
Who’s Available?
Ryan Lowe should be able to choose from the same squad which was named at Sunderland on New Year’s Day, with the potential addition of Robbie Brady.
The left-sider went off injured in the defeat to Swansea City on 22nd December and missed the next three fixtures, but he returned to training on Thursday and will be assessed ahead of the weekend.
Jack Whatmough will miss out for the second successive match due to a knee injury, with the club waiting for a second opinion on that particular issue.
Opposition Focus
Chelsea, under new management in Mauricio Pochettino this season, currently sit tenth in the Premier League and head into the weekend following back-to-back wins.
The Stamford Bridge side had a busy summer, bringing a number of players in for big-money fees, including the likes of Moisés Caicedo, Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson.
The latter will be unavailable due to involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations, while they also have a number of injury concerns, however Ben Chilwell may be back involved for the first time since September after being pictured in training.
Follow The Action
This fixture has been selected for live coverage on BBC iPlayer and on the red button, however FA Cup matches are unable to be shown on iFollow.
Live commentary is available, though, with Jonathan Breeze and Paul Sparrow behind the mic. Match passes are not available for FA Cup fixtures, however audio monthly and seasonal passes will allow access to the commentary.
Extensive coverage can be followed across the club’s social media channels and here on the club website.
Match Officials
Referee: Thomas Bramall
Assistant Referees: Wade Smith and Akil Howson
Fourth Official: Keith Stroud
VAR: Tony Harrington
Support VAR: Peter Bankes
Assistant VAR: Timothy Wood
Thomas Bramall, who refereed PNE’s Lancashire derby victory over Blackburn Rovers in November, will take charge of this match. Bramall has refereed 14 matches so far this season, showing 59 yellow cards and one red.
Saturday will also be the first time VAR has been used in a North End fixture, with Tony Harrington the main official behind the technology.