MATCH PREVIEW: CHELSEA

Match Previews

All you need to know ahead of City's trip to the Bridge

Chelsea v Cardiff City
Venue: Stamford Bridge
SW6 1HSNav it:
Date: Saturday, 19th October, KO 3pm
Match-tag:#CHECAR (Live tweets on @CardiffCityFC)
LISTEN LIVE ON CARDIFF CITY PLAYER

City travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday for a first league meeting between the two sides since 1984.

MATCH FACTS

- Chelsea have won 10 and drawn one of their last 11 Barclays Premier League matches at Stamford Bridge.
- Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall has made more saves than any other Barclays 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%).
- 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 Frank Lampard and John Terry).
- Cardiff City have conceded four goals from outside the penalty area this season; a Premier League high.
- Chelsea are one of only two sides (along with Stoke City) for whom a striker has not scored a Barclays Premier League goal this season.

KEY PLAYER – Ramires



Installed in the spine of Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea side this season, Brazilian midfielder Ramires is one of just four players to have played every league game of the Blues’ Premier League campaign so far.

The vital lynchpin in the Chelsea engine room, Ramires possesses the pace to be a constant threat on the counter attack, a trait that has helped to see him score 25 goals in just over three years at the Bridge in all competitions from his defensive midfield berth.

IN-FORM PLAYER- Oscar



In many ways, Brazilian International Oscar has been allowed to come out from the shadows of fellow Chelsea playmaker Juan Mata by Blues boss Mourinho this season and is currently their top scorer at this early stage.

Oscar followed up his goal in Chelsea’s 2-0 opening day win over Hull with further goals against Swiss side Basle in the Champions League and Fulham before opening the scoring against Norwich last time out. A midfielder bang in-form.

RECENT FORM (ALL COMPETITIONS):

Chelsea: LWWDWW
Last time out – Norwich City 1-3 Chelsea –Sunday, 6th October, Barclays Premier League.



A late strike from Eden Hazard and a contender for Goal of the Season from Willian, his first for Chelsea, secured a late but impressive 3-1 win over Norwich City at Carrow Road last time out. Oscar opened the scoring with his fourth of the season before Anthony Pilkington levelled after the hour.

Team - Chelsea: Cech, Terry, Cole (Hazard, 75), Ivanovic, Luiz, Lampard, Mata (Willian, 81), Ramires, Oscar, Schurrle, Ba (Eto'o, 73).Subs not used: Cahill, Essien, Azpilicueta, Schwarzer.

Cardiff City:  DDLLWL
Last time out – Cardiff City 1-2 Newcastle United - Saturday, 5th October, Barclays Premier League.



Two first-half goals from Newcastle’s on-loan striker Loic Remy put the Magpies in control at Cardiff City Stadium before a brave second half fightback and Peter Odemwingie’s first Premier League goal, saw Malky Mackay’s side almost take something from the game.

Team - Cardiff City: Marshall, Taylor, Caulker, Turner, Whittingham, Medel, Odemwingie (Maynard, 81), Kim (Mutch, 46), Gunnarsson, Theophile-Catherine, Campbell (Bellamy, 66).Subs Not Used: Lewis, Hudson, Noone, Cowie, Maynard.

LAST COMPETITIVE MEETING:

2009-10 FA Cup fifth round, Saturday 13th February 2010 – Chelsea 4-1 Cardiff City



An early goal from Chelsea striker Didier Drogba was cancelled out by City’s Michael Chopra after the half hour mark as the Bluebirds went into half-time level with the Premier League challengers.

Second half goals from Michael Ballack, Daniel Sturridge and Solomon Kalou saw off the Bluebirds’ stubborn resistance as the Blues progressed to the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Cardiff line-up: Marshall, Gerrard, Gyepes, McNaughton, Kennedy, Burke (McCormack, 78), Whittingham, Rae (Blake, 74), Wildig (Taiwo, 89), Chopra, Bothroyd. Subs not used: Quinn, Enckelman, Matthews, Feeney.

REFEREE: Anthony Taylor

Anthony Taylor has been a member of the Select Group of referees since the 2010/11 season, after an eight-year career officiating non-league and Football League matches.

Taylor started refereeing in the North Premier League from 2002 to 2004 before being given a chance to take control of Conference matches. It took just two years to gain a further promotion and officiate in the Football League for the first time.

In his fourth season of refereeing in the Football League, Taylor was given his first opportunity to work in the top flight. He took charge of Fulham’s 1-0 win over Portsmouth in February 2010 and, subsequently, he was elevated to the Select Group officials for the following season.