Cardiff will take on Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, with the hosts looking to upset the odds under the lights at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Chelsea will perhaps view this competition as their best chance of winning silverware this season, so Enzo Maresca will be keen to avoid any embarrassment against the Welsh side.
As part of this week's round of Carabao Cup betting tips, check out our Cardiff vs Chelsea prediction below.
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Cardiff vs Chelsea prediction: The visitors to cruise through
Key Stats
- There are 41 places between Cardiff and Chelsea in the English football pyramid.
- Chelsea have won their last five matches against Cardiff by a combined margin of 11 goals.
- A total of 22 goals have been scored across Cardiff's last five matches in all competitions.
Correct score prediction: Cardiff 1-3 Chelsea
Cardiff will more than likely come out fast to try and catch the Premier League side out, but once the game settles down their class should shine through regardless of what starting XI Enzo Maresca fields.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Too close to call
- HOME: 9/1 (10.00) – 10%
- DRAW: 5/1 (6.00) 16.7%
- AWAY: 1/4 (1.25) – 80%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The Cardiff vs Chelsea odds are weighted heavily in favour of the Premier League side, which should come as no surprise. Ladbrokes have given Cardiff a 10% chance of winning the match inside 90 minutes, while Chelsea have been given an 80% chance of victory in normal time.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: A first meeting in six years
This will be the first time that Cardiff and Chelsea have faced each other since the Welsh side were last in the Premier League in the 2018/19 season. While both squads have changed significantly since then, Chelsea have won each of their last five matches against the Bluebirds.
Cardiff preview: Kellyman cup tied
Cardiff won't be able to call upon the services of Omari Kellyman this week, with the playmaker ineligible due to Chelsea being his parent club. On the injury front, Rubin Colwill, Gabriel Osho and Ollie Tanner will all miss out.
Predicted lineup: Trott (GK), Ng, Fish, Chambers, Bagan, Robertson, Wintle, Turnbull, Ashford, Salech, J.Colwill
Last five results
- Cardiff 4-3 Doncaster
- Stevenage 0-1 Cardiff
- Cardiff 3-2 Huddersfield
- Cardiff 1-5 AFC Wimbledon
- Cardiff 3-0 Mansfield
Chelsea preview: Changes are expected
Enzo Maresca will see this match as an opportunity to rest several first-team players ahead of a busy festive period. The Italian will be forced into a few changes, though, with Marc Cucurella suspended and Marc Guiu cup-tied. Meanwhile, Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia, Dario Essugo and Liam Delap are all injured.
Predicted lineup: Jorgensen (GK), Acheampong, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Hato, Santos, Caicedo, Estevao, Buonanotte, Garnacho, George
Last five results
- Chelsea 2-0 Everton
- Atalanta 2-1 Chelsea
- Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
- Leeds 3-1 Chelsea
- Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
Player to watch: Estevao
Since being compared to Lamine Yamal by his manager, Estevao has gone four games without any goal contributions. In fairness to the teenager, he hasn't been given much of a chance by Maresca, either, so he will be keen to remind him what he's capable of on Tuesday night.