THE TEAMS: CARDIFF V CHELSEA
Eden Hazard and N'Golo Kante both start the game on the bench following their appearances for their nations during the international break.
'Hazard has played 50 matches this season and Kante 47,' explained Maurizio Sarri. 'They played for the national team Hazard 187 minutes and Kante for 175 minutes and so I think that it is time to rest.'
It is the first time this season that Kante has not begun a Premier League match but Jorginho, a slight doubt leading up to this game following his international duty for Italy, has been passed fit to start. With him in midfield are Ross Barkley and Mateo Kovacic.
Upfront, Willian and Pedro flank Gonzalo Higuain.
Cardiff are unchanged from their win at home to West Ham last time out.
Chelsea (4-3-3): Kepa; Azpilicueta (c), Rudiger, David Luiz, Alonso; Barkley, Jorginho, Kovacic; Pedro, Higuain, Willian.
Subs: Caballero, Christensen, Kante, Loftus-Cheek, Hazard, Hudson-Odoi, Giroud.
Cardiff (4-2-3-1): Etheridge; Peltier, Morrison (c), Manga, Bennett; Gunnarsson, Arter; Murphy, Camarasa, Hoilett; Niasse.
Subs: Murphy, Mendez-Liang, Ralls, Reid, Bacuna, Harris, Zohore.
Today's referee is Craig Pawson.
Stats recap
Chelsea have won 11 of our past 13 league meetings with Cardiff, including all three in the Premier League.
Our only defeat in that run was at Stamford Bridge in April 1981 with Geoff Hurst in charge of us. The Bluebirds’ Gary Stevens scored the only goal just after the break.
Cardiff’s last victory against Chelsea in any competition came at Ninian Park in the League Cup back in October 1986 (2-1).
Our only defeat in that run was at Stamford Bridge in April 1981 with Geoff Hurst in charge of us. The Bluebirds’ Gary Stevens scored the only goal just after the break.
Cardiff’s last victory against Chelsea in any competition came at Ninian Park in the League Cup back in October 1986 (2-1).
Chelsea have scored 16 goals in the final 15 minutes of Premier League games this season – only Liverpool (18) have scored more.
We have lost four of our past eight Premier League games, winning three.
Chelsea have lost four and won one of our five away league games in 2019, scoring two goals and conceding 15.
When Eden Hazard hit the post at Everton, it was the 25th time a Chelsea player has struck the woodwork this term; more than twice as many as our opposition.
Cardiff have won three and lost three of their past six Premier League games.
Cardiff City have won 71 per cent of their Premier League points this season in home games (20/28) – only Fulham have a higher percentage (88 per cent).
Cardiff have lost their last 16 Premier League games against the ‘big-six’ sides, last avoiding defeat in November 2013, drawing 2-2 against Manchester United.
We have lost four of our past eight Premier League games, winning three.
Chelsea have lost four and won one of our five away league games in 2019, scoring two goals and conceding 15.
When Eden Hazard hit the post at Everton, it was the 25th time a Chelsea player has struck the woodwork this term; more than twice as many as our opposition.
Cardiff have won three and lost three of their past six Premier League games.
Cardiff City have won 71 per cent of their Premier League points this season in home games (20/28) – only Fulham have a higher percentage (88 per cent).
Cardiff have lost their last 16 Premier League games against the ‘big-six’ sides, last avoiding defeat in November 2013, drawing 2-2 against Manchester United.
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