Cardiff City vs Chelsea: Carabao Cup preview, team news, kick-off time & how to watch

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Absolute Chelsea

·16. Dezember 2025

Cardiff City vs Chelsea: Carabao Cup preview, team news, kick-off time & how to watch

Chelsea face Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday night.

A trip to Wales awaits Chelsea as they look to book another semi-final spot, a regular occurrence under head coach Enzo Maresca.

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Chelsea are set to ring the changes against Brian Barry-Murphy's side under the lights in Cardiff, with Maresca confirming Cole Palmer will not be available for the cup tie.

Marc Cucurella is suspended for the visitors, while Moises Caicedo is once again available following his domestic three-match ban.

Maresca revealed: "Cole in this moment is one of the players that deserves to be protected, and in this moment he's not available to play two games in three days."

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On Caicedo, the Chelsea boss added: "He is available. He can play. He is back, finally. We can use him."

Tuesday offers Chelsea another chance to progress further in a cup competition, experience Maresca believes will help the Blues' mentality as they eye major honours.

"It's the main thing," continued the Italian. "I think since I joined the club, I always try to say the same. To have the winning mentality, you need to win games. Otherwise, the players, they don't believe you. So since day one, we are trying to win games.

"(Tuesday) is another chance to be there in another semi-final, no matter the competition. And it's an important moment for the players, for the fans, for the club, for everyone."