Chelsea Starting XI vs Cardiff City: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup | OneFootball

Chelsea FC XI vs Cardiff City: Predicted Line-up and Latest Team News

Chelsea travel to South Wales on Tuesday evening to face Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup, with Enzo Maresca expected to rotate his squad while carefully managing fitness ahead of a busy festive schedule. The fixture offers an opportunity for fringe players to stake a claim, while the predicted line up reflects a blend of youth, recovery management and tactical caution.

With Newcastle United looming in the Premier League at the weekend, Chelsea’s approach to selection against Cardiff is shaped as much by medical advice as by opposition analysis. The Blues remain competitive across competitions, but squad management is now central to Maresca’s planning.

Photo: IMAGO

Squad management shaping Chelsea selection

Chelsea’s medical team continue to monitor several key players, most notably Cole Palmer. While the attacking midfielder is progressing well following a persistent groin issue, the decision has been taken not to risk him playing twice in three days. As a result, Palmer will not be involved in Cardiff, with his focus firmly on being available for the upcoming league fixture.

That absence opens the door for rotation across the attacking line. Maresca has been keen to stress the importance of minutes for squad players, particularly those who have featured sparingly in recent weeks. The Carabao Cup provides an ideal platform to maintain competitiveness without overloading core starters.

Moises Caicedo is another player likely to be managed carefully. With Chelsea’s final pre-Christmas league game approaching, there is an expectation that the Ecuadorian could be rested, allowing others to shoulder responsibility in midfield.

Defensive rotation and goalkeeping options

At the back, changes are anticipated. Josh Acheampong, Benoit Badiashile and Jorrel Hato have all been short of consistent minutes and are firmly in contention to start. Tosin Adarabioyo is expected to provide experience at centre-back, while Tyrique George remains an option across the defensive line.

Goalkeeper rotation is also under consideration. Filip Jorgensen could deputise between the posts should Robert Sanchez be preserved for Premier League duties. Maresca has previously shown a willingness to rotate his goalkeepers in cup competitions, and this fixture fits that pattern.

In midfield, Andrey Santos is expected to play a significant role, potentially alongside Malo Gusto, who may be deployed centrally to add balance and control. That pairing would allow Chelsea to manage workloads while maintaining tactical structure.

Attacking options and predicted Chelsea line up

Further forward, the emphasis is on opportunity. Facundo Buonanotte, who impressed earlier in the competition, is likely to feature prominently again. The Argentine offers creativity and energy, traits Chelsea will rely on against a motivated Cardiff side at home.

Estevao and Jamie Gittens are also in line to start, providing pace and width in support of Marc Guiu. The young striker is a strong candidate to lead the line, particularly with Liam Delap sidelined through injury.

Chelsea predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; Acheampong, Tosin, Badiashile, Hato; Santos, Gusto; Estevao, Buonanotte, Gittens; Guiu

Unavailable: PalmerInjured: Delap, Essugo, Lavia, Colwill

Match details and context

The match takes place at Cardiff City Stadium with kick-off scheduled for 8pm GMT on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. Cardiff are expected to approach the tie with intensity, viewing the visit of Chelsea as a major opportunity, particularly under the lights in front of a home crowd.

For Chelsea, progression is important, but not at the expense of long-term fitness. The predicted line up reflects a careful balance between competitiveness and caution, offering valuable minutes to developing players while protecting those central to Maresca’s league plans.

How this rotated side responds could shape selection thinking well beyond this cup tie, especially as Chelsea navigate a demanding winter schedule.