The Welsh side still remember their climb to the Premier League. However, last season they finished in last place, 24th, in the Championship, ignominiously relegated. Still, they are now confidently fighting for leadership in League One and, accordingly, aiming for a quick return.
Their opponents from London claimed the Conference League and the Club World Cup this year. At the same time, Maresca has lifted his squad to fourth place in the Premier League and now is contending to be Arsenal’s main pursuer, while also progressing well, though not flawlessly, through the Champions League group stage.
In this competition, Barry-Murphy’s side started in August, beating Swindon 2-1 and Cheltenham 3-0. Then they faced much tougher opponents in Burnley but managed to win 2-1 away. A month later, they repeated this scenario on the field of Championship newcomers Wrexham.
The capital club joined the competition only in September, narrowly defeating modest Lincoln City 2-1. Next came an even more spectacular clash with Wolverhampton, where they managed a 4-3 victory. However, it’s worth noting that Maresca, as he did a year earlier in the Conference League, is giving playing time to reserves here, from Jorgensen to George.
Cardiff City have won two matches in a row
Chelsea have won five of their last seven matches.
Cardiff City (probable): Trott – Bagan, Chambers, Fish, Kpakio – Ashford, Colwill, Wintle, Colwill, Kelliman – Saleh.
Chelsea (probable): Jorgensen – Hato, Adarabioyo, Achimpong, Gusto – Santos, Lavia, Gittens, Buonanotte, Estevao – George.
