Cardiff City vs Chelsea – Match Preview and Team News

The first semi-finalist of the Carabao Cup will be decided in the Welsh capital on Tuesday night as League One leaders Cardiff City host Chelsea .

This is the only non-all-Premier League tie of the quarter-finals. Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea arrive off the back of a morale-boosting 2-0 win over Everton. Consequently, this victory ended a four-match winless run and calmed a turbulent week for the manager.

They face a Cardiff side managed by Brian Barry-Murphy—Maresca’s successor as Manchester City EDS boss in 2021—who are flying high at the top of the third tier. The Bluebirds are aiming to reach the last four for the first time since their run to the final in 2011-12. Having already eliminated Burnley and Wrexham, they will believe another upset is possible.

Brian Barry-Murphy has been dealt a blow with Chelsea refusing permission for loanee playmaker Omari Kellyman to play against his parent club. To make matters worse, star attacking midfielder Rubin Colwill is out until February with an ankle injury. Therefore, his brother Joel Colwill is expected to step into the number 10 role. Defender Ronan Kpakio is suspended, while Gabriel Osho and Ollie Tanner miss out through injury.

Enzo Maresca has confirmed that star man Cole Palmer will not travel, as the club manages his workload following his recent return from injury. Marc Cucurella is suspended after picking up two bookings in previous rounds. However, the Blues welcome back Moisés Caicedo , who is available after serving a three-match domestic suspension. The injury list remains lengthy with Levi Colwill, Liam Delap, and Roméo Lavia all out. Marc Guiu is cup-tied, meaning rotation is expected.

The Bluebirds are the lowest-ranked team left in the competition but are in formidable form. They sit four points clear at the top of League One. Moreover, they have won six of their last seven games in all competitions. Cardiff have scored nine goals in this season’s Carabao Cup—only Brighton have more—and have registered the most shots of any team in the competition. Historically, they have the edge over Chelsea in this specific competition, having won both previous League Cup meetings.

Chelsea have reached the semi-finals in five of their last nine attempts. Crucially, they have progressed in their last 18 League Cup ties against lower-division opposition. Their road to the quarters hasn’t been smooth, however, with a narrow win over Lincoln City and a chaotic victory against Wolves. Victory here would secure Chelsea’s 63rd major semi-final appearance.

Cardiff City predicted XI: Trott; Ng, Fish, Chambers, Bagan; Wintle, Robertson, Turnbull; Ashford, Salech, J. Colwill

Chelsea predicted XI: Jorgensen; Acheampong, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Hato; Caicedo, Santos; Estevao, Buonanotte, Gittens; George.

The match will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football. Coverage starts at 19:30 GMT.

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