FIFA Club World Cup winners Chelsea begin their EFL Cup journey with a trip to Lincoln City on Tuesday night.
The Blues are coming into the game on the back of a shock 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Lincoln City, who are third in Football League One, beat Luton City 3-1 in their previous third-tier outing.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea Preview and Team News
Preview
Michael Skubala’s Lincoln City have been off to an impressive start in League One. After nine rounds of fixtures, they find themselves in third place with 18 points. They have won five matches, drawn three, and lost just once. Their only defeat (2-0) came to AFC Wimbledon in August.
Despite their strong start, Lincoln City are only 13/1 with UK betting sites to secure a promotion to the Championship. Cardiff City are the favourites, with the oddsmakers pricing them at 1/1.
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea also enjoyed brisk start to the season. They were unbeaten in their first three games, winning two and drawing one. They claimed a mega 5-1 victory over West Ham United on Matchday 2.
Chelsea 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 haven't won at Old Trafford in the league since May 2013.
…even when the rest of the league has been winning there with regularity 😬 pic.twitter.com/jCWQFnH2BF
— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 20, 2025
Chelsea’s form, however, has taken a nose dive since football returned after the international break. In their first game back, they drew 2-2 away at Brentford, and things have only gone downhill since. Bayern Munich hammered them 3-1 in their UEFA Champions League opener. And on Saturday, Ruben Amorim’s struggling Manchester United secured a 2-1 win at Old Trafford.
Due to Chelsea’s poor results, Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea future has become a hot topic. Odds suggest Marco Silva is the favourite to replace Maresca as the Chelsea manager.
Team News
Lincoln City will be without midfield talent Jack Moylan while Dom Jefferies (hip) is also a doubt for the match. The rest are up for selection.
As for Chelsea, they will be without goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who picked up a red card against Manchester United. Midfielder Romeo Lavia, attacker Liam Delap, and centre-backs Benoit Badiashile and Levi Colwill will miss out due to injury.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea Match Details
⚽Teams: Lincoln City vs Chelsea
🗓️Date: Tuesday, September 23, 2025
🏆 Competition: EFL Cup Round Three
🟥Ref: Matt Donohue
⌚KO: 7:45 PM BST
📺Where to Watch: Sky Sports Football
🏟️Stadium: LNER Stadium
Lincoln City vs Chelsea EFL Cup Stats
- Lincoln City and Chelsea have only met 8 times in history – Lincoln City have won once, Chelsea 5 times, and there have been 2 draws
- Tuesday’s clash will mark Lincoln City and Chelsea’s first meeting in 114 years
- Last Meeting: Lincoln 0-0 Chelsea (Division Two, March 04, 1911)
- Biggest Win: Chelsea 7-0 Lincoln (Division Two, October 29, 1910)
- Lincoln City have only lost one match in the 2025/26 season
- Lincoln lost their first three meetings with Chelsea between 1905 and 1907
- With 4 goals, James Collins has been the top scorer for Lincoln City this season
- Moises Caicedo has been Chelsea’s top scorer in 2025/26 with 2 goals (both in the Premier League)
- In the previous two rounds in the EFL Cup, Lincoln City beat Harrogate Town (3-1) and Burton (1-0)
- Chelsea enter the competition in the Third Round due to their Champions League commitments
Lincoln City vs Chelsea Head-to-Head
| Competition | Matches | Chelsea Wins | Draws | Lincoln Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| League (Division Two) | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| FA Cup | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 |
Lincoln City vs Chelsea Last Five Meetings
- Division Two – 04 March, 1911: Lincoln 0-0 Chelsea
- Division Two – 29 October, 1910: Chelsea 7-0 Lincoln
- Division Two – 16 February, 1907: Lincoln 0-5 Chelsea
- FA Cup – 16 January, 1907: Chelsea 0-1 Lincoln
- FA Cup – 12 January, 1907: Lincoln 2-2 Chelsea
Lincoln City vs Chelsea Betting Odds
Unsurprisingly, Chelsea are massive favourites to win their EFL Cup Third Round clash with Lincoln City on Tuesday. Bookmakers have priced Chelsea at just 1/6 while giving Lincoln City’s massive 19/1 odds.
Both Lincoln City and Chelsea scored in only one of their last five meetings, with the Blues not conceding in the last four (W 3, D 1). Bookies are confident the streak will remain intact in the EFL Cup this week. Odds make Joao Pedro the likeliest of goalkscorer at LNER Stadium.
Match Result
- Lincoln City – 19/1
- Draw – 8/1
- Chelsea – 1/6
Both Teams to Score
- Yes – 6/5
- No – 7/10
Anytime Goalscorer
- Joao Pedro – 3/4
- Cole Palmer – 1/1
- Estevao – 2/1
Lincoln City vs Chelsea Prediction and Best Bet
Massive underdogs Lincoln City have no reason not to go all out against Chelsea. They will play at home, have an excellent record this season, and have some quality players in their ranks. While Chelsea may claim the win thanks to their individual quality, we do not expect this contest to be as one-sided as most think.
🧱 Jason Shackell with a late winner against MK Dons OTD in 2018! pic.twitter.com/ATEKOW8s1B
— Lincoln City FC 🇺🇦 (@LincolnCity_FC) September 22, 2025
Our Prediction: Lincoln City 2-4 Chelsea
Best Bet
We are backing Lincoln City to breach Chelsea’s depleted defence on Tuesday.
Best Bet: Both Teams to Score @6/5
