Chelsea have won each of their last five meetings with Cardiff, scoring 16 goals, dating back to the last time the pair met in the League Cup, a 2-1 win for the Bluebirds in 1986.
Cardiff vs Chelsea preview
Can Chelsea stay on course to secure Carabao Cup glory? So far, Enzo Maresca's side have enjoyed two away wins in this competition, fighting back from a goal down to defeat Lincoln at Sincil Bank, before ousting Wolves 4-3 in a thriller at Molineux. However, the Blues do not travel to South Wales for this quarter-final clash in exhilarating form.
On Saturday, Chelsea got back to winning ways by beating Everton 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, thanks to first half goals from Cole Palmer and then Malo Gusto. However, before this, Maresca's side had yielded just two points from three Premier League matches against Arsenal, Leeds and then Bournemouth, but are now back up to fourth. Meantime, the Blues are still searching for a first Champions League away win this season, after being beaten 2-1 by Atalanta in Bergamo a week ago. Nevertheless, despite their troubles on the road, Chelsea should ease to victory here.
As for Cardiff City, by dumping out Swindon, Cheltenham, Burnley and then Welsh rivals Wrexham, they've reached this stage of the EFL Cup for the first time since being beaten on penalties in the 2012 final by Liverpool. The Bluebirds currently find themselves in England's third-tier for the first time in 23 years, but appear to be a club reinvigorated as a result.
On Saturday, Brian Barry-Murphy's team enjoyed a second 4-3 home win of the season already, this time defeating Doncaster, with Omari Kellyman, Cian Ashford and Yousef Salech all on target before Joel Bagan bagged a 99th minute winner. That made it five successive league wins for the Bluebirds, leaving them four points clear at the top of EFL League One. Now, this will be a massive occasion at the Cardiff City Stadium, so could there be a massive shock, or will Chelsea cruise into the semis?
Cardiff City vs Chelsea head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 45.
- Cardiff City Wins: 15. Draws: 10. Chelsea Wins: 20.
Cardiff team news
Weekend scorer Omari Kellyman is ineligible, given that he is currently on loan from Chelsea, while Gabriel Osho, Ollie Tanner and star attacking midfielder Rubin Colwill are all injured.
In a further blow, right-back Ronan Kpakio is suspended, having been booked against both Swindon and Wrexham in previous rounds.
Meantime, Rubin's brother Joel could return to midfield, with David Turnbull and Chris Willock other options, while former Arsenal defender Calum Chambers will captain the side from defence.
Cardiff City predicted lineup vs Chelsea: (4-2-3-1): Trott; Ng, Chambers, Fish, Bagan; Robertson, Wintle, J Colwill, Ashford, Davies; Salech.
Cardiff player to watch vs Chelsea
Yousef Salech is Cardiff's top-scorer this season with 11 goals across all competitions, including netting at the Racecourse in the previous round, so could he be their hero here?
Chelsea team news
Enzo Maresca travels to Wales without Levi Colwill, Roméo Lavia, Dário Essugo and Liam Delap while Marc Guiu is cup-tied, having scored for Sunderland back in round two during his brief loan spell.
Cole Palmer has started the last two Premier League matches, but is unlikely to be in the lineup here, with his minutes being carefully managed. Meantime, having been booked in injury time during both EFL Cup ties so far, Marc Cucurella is suspended.
Filip Jörgensen has started both EFL Cup ties so far, thereby set to be donning the gloves once more, while Josh Acheampong, Benoît Badiashile, Jorrel Hato, Andrey Santos and Jamie Gittens are among those set to be rotated in. Moisés Caicedo is poised to start too, having sat out the last three Premier League matches suspended, a ban that is now over.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Cardiff City: (4-2-3-1): Jörgensen; Acheampong, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Hato; Caicedo, Santos, Estêvão, Buonanotte, Gittens; Garnacho.
Chelsea player to watch vs Cardiff
Despite limited opportunties, Estêvão Willian has shown glimpses of his talent since joining Chelsea, scoring five goals so far, including netting against Wolves in the previous round, so will he be the star in South Wales?
Cardiff City vs Chelsea prediction
We cannot foresee an upset in this Carabao Cup quarter-finals, forecasting that Chelsea will cruise through the last four, likely to swat Cardiff aside in South Wales: Cardiff City 0-3 Chelsea.
Cardiff vs Chelsea FAQs - Carabao Cup quarter-final
How to watch Cardiff City vs Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on TV channel?
Cardiff City vs Chelsea in the Carabao Cup will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Sky Sports Main Event, Football & Ultra HD.
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Cardiff City vs Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on live streaming?
Cardiff City vs Chelsea in the Carabao Cup will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: SkyGo & NOW TV.
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Cardiff City vs Chelsea in the Carabao Cup?
Cardiff City vs Chelsea takes place on Tuesday 16 December 2025, with kick off at 20:00 (GMT), 15:00 (ET) & 12:00 (PT).