EFL Cup Quarter Final : Chelsea vs Cardiff City Live, Preview and Lineups

Chelsea vs Cardiff City
MATCH INFO
MATCH :	Chelsea vs Cardiff City
COMPETITION :	EFL Cup Quarter Final
DATE:	17-12-2025
TIME:	01.30 AM IST    12.00 AM UAE
STADIUM	Cardiff City Stadium

Match Live Info

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Prediction and Preview

Chelsea 3 - 1 Cardiff City

Cardiff City possible starting lineup:

Trott; Ng, Fish, Chambers, Bagan; Wintle, Robertson, Turnbull; Ashford, Salech, J. Colwill 

Chelsea possible starting lineup:

Jorgensen; Acheampong, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Hato; Caicedo, Santos; Estevao, Buonanotte, Gittens; George

Even with a semi-final spot on the line, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is expected to rotate his squad for the trip to the Welsh capital, although he will be forced into at least one defensive change. Marc Cucurella is suspended after accumulating bookings, opening the door for Jorrel Hato to slot in at left-back.

Further alterations are anticipated across the pitch, with Filip Jorgensen, Josh Acheampong, Andrey Santos, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Moises Caicedo all pushing for starts. Caicedo returns after completing a three-match suspension and should bolster the midfield.

Chelsea remain without several first-team regulars. Liam Delap (shoulder), Dario Essugo (thigh), Romeo Lavia (thigh), Mykhaylo Mudryk (suspension) and Levi Colwill (knee) are all sidelined, while Marc Guiu is ineligible after featuring for Sunderland earlier in the EFL Cup during his loan spell.

Cardiff also have selection issues ahead of Tuesday’s quarter-final. Guiu is one of two notable absentees, as Chelsea loanee Omari Kellyman is also unavailable. The Bluebirds had requested special permission for the playmaker to feature, but Chelsea declined the request.

Kellyman’s absence compounds Cardiff’s creative problems, with Rubin Colwill ruled out for a further couple of months due to an ankle injury. As a result, his brother Joel Colwill is expected to return to the attacking line.

Defensive options are also limited for the hosts, with Gabriel Osho (toe) and Ollie Tanner (ankle) missing the clash. However, there is some positive news regarding Tanner, who has returned to full training after a four-month layoff and is targeting a comeback early in the New Year.