Chelsea vs Bradford City: FA Cup match preview

A look at the weekend's FA Cup fixture at Stamford Bridge

(Getty Images)

Chelsea will go into Saturday’s fourth round FA Cup with no fresh injury concerns to contend with after Petr Cech and Cesar Azpilicueta returned to the first team squad in the Capital one tie with Liverpool midweek.

Jose Mourinho is likely to rotate his squad for the tie, with inclusions for younger players such as 18-year old Chelsea academy graduate Ruben Loftus- Cheek a possibility.

The Premier League leaders come up against a Bradford team who are currently sixth in league one, with a notable 4-0 thrashing over championship side Millwall in the third round replay proving to be one of their best performances of the season.

However the Bantams suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to League one minnows Yeovil last Saturday, which will no doubt give the Yorkshire team an added incentive to bounce back against top quality opposition.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS:

Premier League, 23 December 2000 Chelsea 3 (Poyet, Dalla Bonna, Gudjohnsen) Bradford 0

Premier League, 22 August 2000, Bradford 2 (Windass, Carbone) Chelsea 0

Premier League, 8 January 2000, Bradford 1 (Mills) Chelsea 1 (Petrescu)

STATS…

The two teams have not played each other for over 15 years, their last encounter in December 2000 occurring when Bradford where still in the top tier.

Chelsea has an 8-6 record over Bradford over a 117 year period (Soccerpunter.com)

Chelsea have scored an impressive 78 times this season compared to Bradford’s tally of 55

Bradford has only managed two away victories at Chelsea- their most recent victory occurring in the year 1912 (Soccerpunter.com)

ODDS:

Chelsea – 2/17

Bradford City - 25/1

TV: Highlights on Match Of The Day at 10.25 PM