Chelsea 0-0 Preston – FA Cup third round: Live score, team news and updates as Blues open up their cup campaign plus updates from the other late kick-offs

Good start here from Preston. Chelsea have looked good on the ball so far but they’ve had a good couple of attacks.

Enzo Fernandez is back in the side for today’s match and has just been brought down on the half-way line by Keane.

Here we go we’re underway at Stamford Bridge!

Middlesbrough and Villa have also kicked off at the Riverside.

Interestingly Conor Gallagher does not start today for the Blues and is on the bench.

It comes amid much speculation that he could leave the club, with Pochettino having spoken on the midfielder’s future with the club earlier this week.

‘Look, I cannot guarantee I will be here tomorrow! In football, different things can happen. [There are] decisions between the club and player,’ he said on Gallagher.

‘Only the player can guarantee or the club. The player more than the club as the player have one year and half more.

‘[Gallagher] can say “I will be here because my contract allows me to be here”. It’s about making the right decision for the club, the player and the team.’

Chelsea fans have unveiled a banner at Stamford Bridge paying tribute to Gianluca Vialli who sadly passed away last year.

The club payed homage to their former player on social media earlier on Saturday.

We’ve got a bit of a lights show going here at Stamford Bridge with the lights going on and off with some pyrotechnics spouting fire on the pitch.

We’re moments away from kick-off and there is a real buzz around the stadium!

Ahead of the game, here’s a quick reminder of the teams…

Chelsea XI: Petrovic, Gilchrist, Disasi, Colwill, Gusto, Caicedo, Fernandez, Sterling, Palmer, Mudryk, Broja.

Subs: ettinelli, Bergstrom, Thiago Silva, Williams, Maatsen, Gallagher, Golding, Madueke, Washington.

Preston XI: Woodman, Potts, Storey, Lindsay, Hughes, McCann, Browne, Whiteman, Millar, Keane, Osmajic.

Subs: ornell, Cunningham, Best, Ledson, Frokjaer-Jensen, Holmes, Woodburn, Evans, Riis.

Did you know that not one of Unai Emery’s players today have won an FA Cup game before with Aston Villa?

They’ll take on Middlesbrough this afternoon at the Riverside, who haven’t beaten Villa in their last five meetings.

We’ll also have live updates and commentary coming through from that match here!

It’s a first start for Chelsea rising star Alfie Gilchrist.

The 20-year-old has made two appearances for the senior side, coming on in their last two Premier League matches against Crystal Palace and Luton.

And Chelsea legend John Terry has backed Gilchrist to be the next academy star to have a big impact on the first team.

He said: ‘Alfie Gilchrist, he’s a really really good player. He’s got an unbelievable attitude. He’s been at the club since the age of eight.

‘He performs so well on a daily basis, does everything right. I think he’s got a good chance.

‘I think we spoke about the young players going on loan and I think Alfie’s next step is to go on loan next season and then you should see how he does.’

Chelsea boast a solid record against sides in lower divisions than them in the FA Cup, having won their past 18 fixtures against teams in divisions below the top-flight.

Their last defeat against a side lower than them in the football pyramid was a 4-2 defeat by Bradford City in the 2014-15 season.

Here’s a sneak peak inside the Chelsea dressing room at Stamford Bridge.

Preston have lost nine of their past 11 FA Cup matches, winning two, but have lost 17 of their past 18 against clubs in the top-flight.

Can they upset the odds today?

Ryan Lowe spoke earlier in the week about how his side can beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

‘I think being brave, resolute and solid,’ said Lowe. ‘Being good with and without the ball and again, it’s a game in both boxes.

‘If you can keep the back door shut in one and take your chances at the other end, then that’s where the game will obviously be won. If we can be good in both then it gives ourselves an opportunity.’

Chelsea have been arriving at Stamford Bridge ahead of today’s match.

The Blues have won all three of their previous FA Cup ties against Preston, with their last coming in 2009-10 in the fourth-round.

Could they make it a fourth win today?

Ryan Lowe has also made several changes ahead of today’s trip to Stamford Bridge. Preston were beaten 2-0 by Sunderland in the Championship last week.

Will Keane and MIlutin Osmajic come into the side with Ched Evans and Mads Frokjaer-Jensen.

Mauricio Pochettino has made several changes for his side that defeated Luton 3-2 last week. Thiago Silva drops to the bench with Alfie Gilchrist coming into defence.

In midfield Enzo Fernandez comes in for Conor Gallagher who drops to the bench. Mykhailo Mudryk replaces Nicolas Jackson while Raheem Sterling returns for Noni Madueke who moves to the bench.

Chelsea take on Preston at Stamford Bridge this afternoon in what is gearing up to be a huge FA Cup third-round clash.

Ryan Lowe’s side come into this clash having not beaten Chelsea in 42 years, with their last victory against the London side coming in 1981.

Preston have also lost both of their two most recent Championship matches coming into the tie, while Chelsea seem to be on the up having won both of their previous outings in the Premier League.

Kick off is now less than an hour away and we’ll have all the latest team news coming your way in just a moment’s time!