Chelsea vs Cardiff - Preview and Possible lineups

TEAM NEWS

Chelsea: Cesc Fabregas is unlikely to be rushed back from a knee injury and is unlikely to feature. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is also unlikely to be in the squad due to a slight shin injury picked up on international duty, whilst Emerson and Davide Zappacosta are both doubts with illness.

Cardiff: Josh Murphy has a hamsrtring strain that will be assessed on the day, whilst Aron Gunnarson is still nursing a knee problem and unlikely to be risked. 

FORM

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri: 

''I think tomorrow will be a very difficult game. Mentally after the break it is difficult. We play against a very physical team, if we want to gain points we need a very good performance tomorrow. It is very difficult for everyone to play.

It is very difficult materially, it is important to win every ball, to play and have good positions and distributions.''

Cardiff manager Neil Warnock: 

''The top sides always have a lot of possession so we're going to be under the cosh for a long time, but we've got to find a remedy. We've earned the right to play against teams like Chelsea.

"It'll be interesting to see how we cope at a packed Stamford Bridge. It's one where we've got to get the best out of what we've got. I don't want to go there and not have a shot on target, but we've got to have players at their best abilities to give them a game."

POSSIBLE LINE UPS

Chelsea: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Rudiger, Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic, Pedro, Hazard, Morata 

Cardiff: Etheridge, Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett; Camarasa, Arter, Ralls, Hoilett; Reid, Ward

Prediction: 3-0