Premier League: Chelsea v Cardiff City match preview

A look ahead to this weekend’s fixture at Stamford Bridge

Jose Mourinho and his Chelsea side take on Cardiff on Saturday (GETTY IMAGES)

As well as getting to grips with the departure of trusted talent scout Iain Moody and dealing with the speculation surrounding his own future, Malky Mackay has also had to prepare his Cardiff team for an away trip to Stamford Bridge.

A difficult week doesn’t get much easier for the Scotsman, as on Saturday they will face a Chelsea side that has won 10 and drawn one of their last 11 Premier League home games.

The last time the two clubs met was three years ago in the fifth round of the FA Cup, where Chelsea ran out 4-1 winners.

A 3-2 win over Manchester City and a unlucky last minute defeat to Tottenham Hotspur has proved that Mackay’s side are more than capable of competing with the bigger teams in the league.

Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho will be hoping his strikers can start contributing with some goals, as Samuel Eto’o, Fernando Torres and Demba Ba have yet to score in this Premier League campaign. Andre Schurrle is also waiting to open up his Chelsea account, but will hope to alter that following his hat-trick for Germany in the week.

KICK OFF: Saturday, 3:00pm

PAST MEETINGS:

Chelsea 4 (Drogba, Ballack, Sturridge, Kalou) Cardiff 1 (Chopra), FA Cup, February 2010

Cardiff 2 Chelsea 1, English League Cup, October 1986

Cardiff 3 Chelsea 3, English Division 2, March 1984

Chelsea 2 Cardiff 0, English Division, October 1983

Chelsea 1 Cardiff 0, English Division 2, February 1982

STATS…

Chelsea are one of only two Premier League sides (along with Stoke City) for whom a striker has not scored a league goal this season.

Petr Cech will make his 300th Premier League appearance in this match if selected, becoming the third player to reach this landmark for the club (after Lampard and Terry).

Cardiff glovesman David Marshall has made more saves than any other Premier League goalkeeper this season (31).

Cardiff have averaged 54% possession away from home in the Premier League this season; well above their home possession rate (40%).

ODDS…

Chelsea to win: 1.22

Cardiff to win: 13

Draw: 5.8

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10:25pm