Chelsea vs Port Vale Prediction & Betting Tips (4 April)

Winner of the FA Cup in 2018, Chelsea have since lost in the final three times in 2020, 2021 and 2022. This season, the London team defeated Charlton 1-5, Hull City 0-4 and Wrexham 2-4 after extra time in the previous rounds. In the Premier League, the Blues now occupy 6th place with 6 points behind the Big 4. They have let go recently, as evidenced by the only success acquired during the last six days, for 2 draws and 3 defeats. After winning in style in the lair of Aston Villa 1-4, Chelsea lost against Newcastle 0-1 and Everton just before the international break 3-0.

 Big surprise of this season in the FA Cup, Port Vale dismissed Maldon & Tiptree 5-1, Bristol Rovers 1-0, Fleetwood 1-0, Bristol City 1-0 after extra time and Sunderland 1-0 to reach the quarter-final. Back in League One 3rd division this season, the Valiants are not up to par. Good last in the ranking, they are, with two games less, 14 points behind the first non-relegation team. After beating Bolton 1-0, Port Vale restarted a bad dynamic with losses suffered against Doncaster 1-0 and Wycombe last weekend 4-0. 

For this meeting, Chelsea are without captain Reece James, long-term absentee Colwill, potentially starting defender Chalobah as well as replacements Jorgensen (goalkeeper) and Gittens (winger), all injured. Additionally, winger Mudryk continues to serve his long suspension. The attacking trio is most often composed of Palmer (9 goals in PL), Pedro Neto (5 goals and 4 assists in PL) and Joao Pedro (14 goals and 5 assists in PL). However, Liam Rosenior could be tempted to start Garnacho (1 goal and 4 assists in PL), Estevao (2 goals and 2 assists in PL) and Delap (1 goal in PL). Port Vale must do without the usual starters Heneghan (defender), Byers and Crossdale (midfielders).

They were joined in the infirmary by left-back Headley while the participation of striker Stockley (3 goals in League One) is not assured. On the other hand, absent last weekend, internationals Gordon (Guyanne) and Waine (New Zealand, 3 goals in League One) are back. Struggling in the offensive domain, Port Vale has the worst attack in its championship.