Chelseavs.Barrow

There are 64 places between the two sides in the English pyramid heading into the tie - the largest gap between any matchup in the third round.

Match preview

Despite all the off-field drama that has surrounded the club over the summer, Enzo Maresca has done an excellent job so far of keeping his players focused on their on-field matters instead, and to great effect.

A thumping 3-0 win over West Ham United at the London Stadium on Saturday saw them end the day in the top four, keep back-to-back clean sheets for the first time in a year, and extend their Premier League form to just two defeats in 20.

With the win over the Hammers, Maresca has become the first manager since his mentor Pep Guardiola to win their first three Premier League away games, with the Manchester City boss doing so back in 2015.

Nicolas Jackson's brace inside 18 minutes was the quickest by any Chelsea player since Didier Drogba back in 2005, and Cole Palmer added a superb third goal on the break early in the second half.

With a congested schedule to come with Chelsea back fighting on four fronts again this season, the priority will be on their clash with Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend.

The Blues' Conference League campaign starts in a week's time against Gent, and both that encounter, and this cup tie against Barrow, are likely to see Maresca make wholesale changes.

This is their first domestic cup tie of the season, after receiving a bye through the second round due to their European involvement in August.

Despite numerous successes in the 21st century, Chelsea have not won the EFL Cup since 2015, losing three finals since, including in February's showpiece event, when they were humbled at Wembley by a very youthful Liverpool side.

Barrow's reward for reaching the third round for the first time in over half a century is a dream trip to Stamford Bridge.

The club have only been back in the EFL Cup for five years, following their promotion from the National League, and the in-form fourth-tier side will hope to give a good account of themselves here.

After being eliminated in round one by Bolton Wanderers last season, Barrow made amends by beating Port Vale and Derby County to set up this clash with Chelsea.

Stephen Clemence's side come into the tie at the League Two summit after a 2-0 win over Newport County on Saturday, having taken 16 points from a possible 21 so far.

Chelsea form (all competitions):

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Barrow EFL Cup form:

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Barrow form (all competitions):

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Team News

It is not beyond possibility that Maresca will make 11 changes for this encounter, given the size of Chelsea's squad, and the level of the opposition.

In-form duo Palmer and Jackson are almost certainly going to be rested, and Maresca has numerous options to choose from to replace them in attacking areas.

Christopher Nkunku is set to start, and he could be joined in the front four by a combination of Pedro Neto, Joao Felix and Mykhaylo Mudryk.

On the injury front, Reece James remains out, but Romeo Lavia and Malo Gusto are closing in on returns to the first team, and this clash could provide Maresca with the opportunity to give those players some minutes if they can pass fitness tests.

Despite a good run of form recently, Clemence still made some personnel changes to his Barrow side at the weekend, and they paid off as they left with all three points.

Wyll Stanway could come back in between the sticks after he was replaced by Paul Farman at the weekend, and Neo Eccleston should also start after returning from a brief absence as a substitute in the 2-0 win.

Ex-Everton winger Katia Kouyate was brought in and impressed against Newport, so could keep his place ahead of Chris Popov, while Chris Stokes is also set to feature after making his debut following a move from Morecambe.

Chelsea possible starting lineup:

Jorgensen; Disasi, Badiashile, Tosin, Colwill; Renato Veiga, Dewsbury-Hall; Pedro Neto, Joao Felix, Mudryk; Nkunku

Barrow possible starting lineup:

Stanway; Feely, Vassell, Stokes, Jackson; Campbell, Foley, Spence; Kouyate, Garner, Newby

We say: Chelsea 4-0 Barrow

Even with expected wholesale changes, Chelsea should have no problem in booking their place in the fourth round in one of the biggest mismatches seen in the competition this season.

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