Overview

• Kick-off is 7:45pm BST on Tuesday, September 23 at the LNER Stadium, with live coverage on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports+ and streaming via Sky and NOW apps.
• Lincoln arrive unbeaten in 10 matches and undefeated at home this season after a 3-1 win over Luton, while Chelsea are winless in three after defeats to Bayern Munich and Manchester United.
• Enzo Maresca has signalled squad rotation with academy involvement, with Cole Palmer a doubt and fringe players such as Alejandro Garnacho considered candidates to start.
• Lincoln CEO Liam Scully estimates the sell-out, TV selection and related income will yield around £250,000, providing a meaningful one-off boost to reinvest in the club.
• Bookmakers rate Chelsea strong favourites for the tie, with odds reported around 1/7 for the visitors and 16/1 for Lincoln.