Carabao Cup 2025-2026: Lincoln City-Chelsea, the likely lineups

A David and Goliath showdown will light up the stage of the’LNER Stadium, home of Lincoln City: the club currently in the playoff zone in League One (England’s third tier) takes on Chelsea, winner of the first edition of the revamped Club World Cup. A match, the one scheduled for Tuesday night, however, that the Blues should not underestimate.

In fact, Lincoln City has promotion ambitions in the Championship and has started the season very well, losing only one of the twelve matches played between the league, Carabao Cup and EFL Trophy. Among the most anticipated players are Francis Okoronkwo, at Lincoln on loan from’Everton, and Freddie Draper, a central striker born in 2004.

On the other hand, an extensive turnover by Chelsea’s Italian coach Enzo Maresca is to be expected: according to indications that emerged in training, only Enzo Fernandez, among those who played and lost last weekend to Manchester United, should be among the starting eleven. Up front, there is room for Guiu, while Garnacho, Buonanotte and Gittens are expected to joust on the three-quarter.

Probable lineups

LINCOLN CITY (4-3-3): Jeacock; Montsma, Jackson, Bradley, Reach; House, Barbrook, Ring; Thorn, Draper, Okoronkwo. All. Skubala.

CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Jörgensen; Gusto, Tosin, Acheampong, Hato; Santos, Fernandez; Garnacho, Buonanotte, Gittens; Guiu. All. Maresca.