Preview: Chelsea v Cardiff City- Mourinho's men look to continue perfect home record
Chelsea will look to keep pace with early-season leaders Arsenal and Liverpool this weekend when they welcome Cardiff City to Stamford Bridge. The Blues have won all three of their home fixtures this season, but the Bluebirds have lost just once away from home, and will certainly fancy their chances at adding another high-profile scalp to their growing list of upsets.
Team News: Chelsea
Chelsea will likely be without star left-back Ashley Cole (rib) and lead striker Fernando Torres (knee) for this one. Torres’ absence will likely provide a starting appearance for Demba Ba, who is yet to find the back of the net in the Premier League this year, while Cole’s absence should see Cesar Azpilicueta come into the starting side on the left flank. Youngster Marco van Ginkel (ACL/knee) is also a long-term absentee for the Londoners.
Team News: Cardiff City
Summer signing Andreas Cornelius is questionable to make his return from an ankle injury this weekend in the only bit of injury news for the Bluebirds. Cornelius is yet to make a starting appearance this year, but if healthy, will certainly be picked.
Recent Form:
Chelsea have suffered just one loss all season (away to Everton in Week 4) and come into this one with a perfect home record courtesy of wins over Hull, Aston Villa and Fulham. Cardiff don’t have the same strong form to speak of, winning just one of their last five fixtures. Encouraging performances against Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham and Newcastle United will give the new boys of the Premier League plenty of confidence heading into this weekend’s match.
Players to Watch
Chelsea - John Terry
Much maligned for his performances in recent years, John Terry has again proven his class for the Blues so far this season—currently leading the team in Squawka’s Total Performance Score. The 32-year-old has been very solid in defence—averaging a team-high nine defensive actions per game—and has completed over 90 per cent of his attempted passes to match.
Chelsea’s top performers so far this year
Cardiff City - Fraizer Campbell
If Cardiff are to get anything from this fixture, then they’re going to need to be devastating on the counterattack and take full advantage of their chances—much like they did against Manchester City earlier in the year. In that game, striker Fraizer Campbell (whose conversion rate has been very impressive this season) starred in attack for the Bluebirds, and he’ll be looked upon again in this one to provide some spark at the top of his team’s attack.
Fraizer Campbell — Chance Conversion Rate
Prediction:
At home, with the talent that they have on offer, it’s hard to go past Chelsea making it four home wins this weekend. Jose Mourinho’s team haven’t quite been the all-conquering force that many had thought they might be, but it’s still early days, and the signs are encouraging enough for the Blues. Cardiff do have potential as an underdog, but they’re simply out of their depth in this one, and the final scoreline will most likely reflect the gap in class.
Chelsea 4-0 Cardiff City