Chelsea vs Scunthorpe United Preview

January 9, 2016
By: Deke Hardman

Diego Costa Spain

Sunday afternoon’s FA Cup action from Stamford Bridge sees seven time winners Chelsea face League One Scunthorpe United.

The Premier League champions are unbeaten in their last four games, three of which have been overseen by Guus Hiddink who took temporary charge of the club for the second time last month.

His final game of his first stint as manager was the 2009 FA Cup final, when the Blues came from behind to beat Everton at Wembley – their fifth triumph in this competition.

They have been victorious twice since then and are among the favourites to go all the way this time around though they have just one fit senior striker for this tie, with Diego Costa set to lead the line in the absence of Radamel Falcao and Loic Remy.

Gary Cahill is a doubt, while Eden Hazard is out with a groin problem.

Costa is favourite to open the scoring at 4.0 (3/1) with a number of firms, with Oscar an 8.0 (7/1) chance with Bet 365.

The home win is 1.22 (2/9) with Betfred, with the visitors widely available at 17.0 (16/1). The draw can be backed at 7.5 (13/2) with a variety of bookmakers.

The Irons, who are into the third round for just the second time in five seasons, beat Southend United and Leyton Orient on route to this stage of the tournament this time around.

Top scorer Paddy Madden is expected to start despite having a slight hamstring problem and Tom Hooper and Gary McSheffrey are also available though new signing Conor Townsend is cup tied.

Madden can be backed at 15.0 (14/1) to get the first goal of the game ahead of Darius Henderson, who is priced at 19.0 (18/1) with 888 Sport.

The two sides met at this stage eleven years ago, with the Premier League outfit running out 3-1 winners.

You may be tempted to back the hosts to score at least three times this time around at a price of 1.83 (5/6) with Sky Bet while 888 Sport offer a price of 2.1 (11/10) for both teams to score.

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