Cardiff City host Chelsea on Tuesday 16 December (8pm) with a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals on the line. The quarter-final format adds immediate jeopardy: there is no VAR at this stage and, if level after 90 minutes, it goes straight to penalties (extra-time is not used until the semi-finals).
Cardiff reach the last eight on the back of a strong run in both league and cup. Their most recent match in any competition was Saturday’s dramatic 4–3 League One win over Doncaster Rovers, settled by a deep added-time winner, which extended their winning streak to five and left them four points clear at the top of League One. In this Carabao Cup run, Cardiff have knocked out Swindon Town, Cheltenham Town, Burnley and Wrexham to earn this quarter-final at home.
Chelsea arrive as Premier League opposition with their own route through the rounds already tested. Their last match in any competition was a 2–0 league win over Everton at Stamford Bridge, with Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto scoring to move Chelsea back into the top four. In the Carabao Cup, Chelsea reached the quarter-finals by beating Lincoln City and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Team selection will be a major talking point. Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed Cole Palmer will not be involved as he is being carefully managed while returning from a groin issue. Chelsea will also be without Marc Cucurella, who is suspended in this competition after receiving two yellow cards in the tournament.
The managers add an extra subplot. Cardiff boss Brian Barry-Murphy previously followed Maresca in charge of Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad, and the hosts will hope that familiarity with Chelsea’s style helps them keep this tie competitive for as long as possible.
Tactically, Cardiff are likely to lean into energy, organisation and the momentum that has carried them through recent games, looking to make the Cardiff City Stadium atmosphere a genuine factor. Chelsea should still expect long spells of possession and territory, but this is the kind of one-off cup night where control has to be matched by efficiency — especially with penalties waiting if there’s no winner after 90 minutes.
