Cardiff City team news: Cardiff finished rock bottom of the Championship last season, dropping back down to the third division for the first time in over two decades. But it looks like they won’t be staying down there for too long, currently holding a four-point lead at the top of the table, having won five in a row.

A quarterfinal battle with League One outfit Cardiff City offers Chelsea an excellent opportunity to make the final four and edge towards redemption, although Enzo Maresca is likely to gamble with a much-changed starting lineup in Wales.

They pushed Newcastle hard on their visit to St. James' Park in October, only falling to a last minute winner from Bruno Guimaraes. Only two points separate them from their hosts, who will be feeling the pressure after Sunday's defeat in the Tyne-Weir derby and who looked drained from competing on four fronts.

Chelsea got back to winning ways against Everton on Saturday as they won 2-0 thanks to first half goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Chelsea have already beaten Lincoln City and Wolverhampton Wanderers on the road in the Carabao Cup, but they have made hard work of narrow one-goal wins. Their in-form hosts, who currently lead the third tier, will be aiming to make things similarly challenging for the Blues.

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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says he is happy at the club. He has also refused to go into more detail about his weekend revelation he had just endured his worst spell since arriving in June 2024.

Preview the matchup between Chelsea FC and Everton FC with predictions, odds, over/under, betting lines and more.