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The Bluebirds are the only non-Premier League club left in the last eight and arrive with confidence after an impressive cup run, while Chelsea are chasing silverware they haven’t lifted in over a decade.
On paper the gap in quality is clear, but cup football has a habit of narrowing those margins.
Cardiff v Chelsea tips
• Chelsea to win – 19/100 with Bet365
• Over 1.5 goals – 4/25 with Bet365
• Estevao to have 1+ shot on target – 7/25 with Bet365
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Chelsea to win
Chelsea’s pedigree in this competition makes them hard to oppose, particularly against lower-league opposition.
The Blues have not been knocked out of the League Cup by a non-Premier League side since 2008/09 and have won five consecutive quarter-final ties. While their away form has been mixed, Enzo Maresca’s side showed composure in their recent win over Everton and possess far more depth and quality than their hosts.
Cardiff have enjoyed a superb run to reach this stage, but Chelsea’s ability to control possession and dictate tempo should tell over 90 minutes, making the short-priced away win a logical bet for an accumulator.
Bet explanation: This bet wins if Chelsea beat Cardiff in regular time
Over 1.5 goals
Seven of Cardiff’s last eight matches have produced over 2.5 goals, while five of their last six home games have seen both teams score, highlighting how open their matches tend to be.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have found the net regularly in cup competitions, with Marc Guiu scoring all two of his goals this season outside the league.
Even if Cardiff remain competitive early on, the pace and quality Chelsea bring should stretch the game as it wears on, making over 1.5 goals at 4/25 a solid selection.
Bet explanation: This bet wins if there are at least two goals in the game between Cardiff and Chelsea.
Estevao to have 1+ shot on target
This tie looks tailor-made for Estevao to make an impact. The Brazilian hasn’t started any of Chelsea’s last three matches, but with rotation expected, he’s likely to be handed significant minutes here as he looks to play his way back into Maresca’s XI.
The teenager has already shown his threat in this competition, registering six shots across two EFL Cup appearances, including four shots and a goal against Wolves in the previous round.
Against a Cardiff defence that has conceded heavily at times, his willingness to shoot early often makes backing him to register at least one effort on target at 7/25 an appealing option.
Tip: Estevao to have 1+ shot on target @ 7/25
Bet explanation: This bet wins if Estevao plays at least one shot on target against Cardiff.
Cardiff v Chelsea odds
• Chelsea – 19/100 with Bet365
• Draw – 6/1 with Bet365
• Cardiff -17/2 with Bet365
Odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.