- The Cardiff City vs Chelsea Prediction article, breaks down form, key players and H2H meetings ahead of the clash.
- The Cardiff City vs Chelsea EFL Cup quarterfinal match will be played at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday, December 16.
- Kick off set for 11:00PM EAT.
Chelsea are back in action on Tuesday night as they visit Cardiff City for the EFL Cup 2025 quarterfinal, with the two sides set to lock horns at the Cardiff City Stadium.
It marks six years since Chelsea last played in the Welsh capital.
Their previous visit to the Cardiff City Stadium occurred in March 2019, when the Blues secured a dramatic – and somewhat controversial – 2-1 victory that left Neil Warnock seething.
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Both teams enter this match with confidence. On Saturday, the Bluebirds, currently top of League One, edged a seven-goal thriller at home against struggling Doncaster Rovers.
Chelsea defeated Everton 2-0 the same day, a result that leaves them fourth in the Premier League.
Chelsea had a relatively straightforward path to the quarterfinals, facing just two opponents.
They took on Lincoln City in the fourth round, winning 2-1, before another thrilling encounter in the following round where they faced Wolverhampton Wanderers, ultimately triumphing 4-3.
While Chelsea enjoyed a smoother route to the last eight, the Brian Barry-Murphy-led Cardiff side has battled through from the First Round.
They overcame Swindon Town 2-1, proceeded to defeat Cheltenham Town 3-0 at home in the Second Round, beat top-flight side Burnley 2-1 in the Third Round, and finally edged past Wrexham 2-1 in the Fourth Round.
Here are the key details for the Cardiff City vs Chelsea encounter on Tuesday night, along with some betting tips, to place your wager on SportPesa, which offers a variety of markets, competitive odds, and the chance to win instantly.
What time does Cardiff City vs Chelsea kick off?
This first League Cup quarterfinal between Cardiff City and Chelsea will be played on Tuesday, December 16, at the Cardiff City Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:00 PM EAT.
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Cardiff City vs Chelsea Team News
Enzo Maresca plans to rotate his side at the Cardiff City Stadium to manage his squad through a busy schedule – and the Italian confirmed Cole Palmer will not be involved after recently returning from injury.
Liam Delap (shoulder), Dario Essugo (thigh), Romeo Lavia (thigh), Mykhaylo Mudryk (doping) and Levi Colwill (knee) remain out for the visitors, while Marc Guiu is cup-tied.
Guiu is one of two notable ineligible players for Tuesday’s quarter-final, as Cardiff will be without Chelsea loanee Omari Kellyman; the Bluebirds asked for the playmaker to be available, but the Club World Cup winners rejected the request.
Gabriel Osho (toe) and Ollie Tanner (ankle) will also miss Chelsea’s visit, but the latter is now back in full training after four months out and is on course to be available in the New Year.
Marc Cucurella will not be involved as he serves a one-game Carabao Cup ban after picking up two yellow cards in this competition.
Cardiff vs Chelsea Predicted Lineups
- Cardiff: Trott; Ng, Fish, Chambers, Bagan; Wintle, Robertson, Turnbull; Ashford, Salech, Willock.
- Chelsea: Jorgensen; Acheampong, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Hato; Caicedo, Santos; Estêvão, Buonanotte, Gittens; George.
Cardiff City vs Chelsea Head-to-Head and Current Form
Chelsea and Cardiff City have met 45 times in all competitions. Heading into their 46th meeting, Chelsea holds the superior record and will be seeking a 21st win, compared to the 16 victories the Bluebirds will be chasing.
The teams have drawn ten times.
Cardiff have not triumphed over Chelsea in league action since a 1-0 Second Division success at Stamford Bridge in April 1981, while their last home league win was over six decades ago, in 1963.
Cardiff vs Chelsea: Recent Five Meetings
- Mar 31, 2019: Cardiff 1-2 Chelsea (Premier League)
- Sep 15, 2018: Chelsea 4-1 Cardiff (Premier League)
- May 11, 2014: Cardiff 1-2 Chelsea (Premier League)
- Oct 19, 2013: Chelsea 4-1 Cardiff (Premier League)
- Feb 13, 2010: Chelsea 4-1 Cardiff (FA Cup)
Current Form
- Bluebirds: WWLWWW
- The Blues: WDLDLW
Cardiff City vs Chelsea Prediction and Betting Tips
Chelsea have not lost a League Cup tie to a lower-league side since Burnley prevailed on penalties in the fourth round on November 12, 2008.
Coincidentally, Cardiff beat the Clarets, now a Premier League team, in round three of this season’s competition.
Chelsea have already faced League One hosts in this campaign, defeating Lincoln City 2-1 in September.
The Bluebirds have recorded 52 shots on goal in this competition, 11 more than their closest rival.
Each of the Londoners’ five successful League Cup campaigns featured a last-eight match away from home.
The Blues’ record win in this competition remains the 7-0 away victory against fourth-tier Doncaster Rovers on November 16, 1960, in which Frank Blunstone, Peter Brabrook, and Bobby Tambling all netted twice.
Both sides have scored in each of their last five meetings; therefore, we expect goals if both teams take their chances.
With such insights, Chelsea are decidedly the side expected to secure victory on the road and qualify for the semifinal.
However, the Bluebirds cannot be ruled out, as they will be eager to exert pressure and could prove to be a surprise package