Chelsea will be bidding to set a new FA Cup record when they face Manchester City in the third round on Sunday evening.
The Blues head into this competition as last year's runners-up, losing the 2022 final to Liverpool in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw.
However, Chelsea have endured a disappointing domestic campaign during 2022-23, currently sitting in 10th position in the Premier League standings.
The West Londoners suffered their sixth defeat in 17 top-flight fixtures on Thursday as they succumbed to a 1-0 scoreline at home to the opponents that they face this weekend.
Furthermore, Chelsea's elimination from the EFL Cup came at the hands of City, who prevailed by a 2-0 scoreline with two strikes early in the second half.
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Remarkably, Chelsea were presented with the exact same draw at the earliest opportunity in the FA Cup, leaving Graham Potter and his side with yet another unenviable task at the Etihad Stadium.
Nevertheless, Chelsea are currently in joint possession of an FA Cup record having progressed through their most recent 24 ties in the third round.
Not since the 1997-98 campaign, when they lost 5-3 at home to Manchester United, have Chelsea succumbed in the last 64 of this competition.
United share the record with Chelsea, their run lasting between 1985 and 2009, although United did not participate in 1999-00 due to their FIFA Club World Cup appearance in Brazil.
Chelsea will feel that history is partially on their side having defeated City in their last two FA Cup meetings, those victories coming 2015-16 and 2020-21.
However, Chelsea have lost five of their last six matches at the Etihad Stadium, their only success during that time coming in May 2021 when Sergio Aguero missed a penalty to put City 2-0 up at half time before Chelsea netted a 92nd-minute winner to prevail by a 2-1 scoreline.
Darren Plant
