Chelsea vs Cardiff LIVE: Team news confirmed; Premier League latest updates

Chelsea vs Cardiff: Express Sport brings you LIVE Premier League updates from Stamford Bridge

  • Chelsea are looking to extend their perfect start to the Premier League season and deny promoted Cardiff a first win
  • Chelsea have won 10 of their last 12 league meetings with Cardiff, including two in the Premier League
  • Spaniard Pedro, who has scored three times in his last four matches for Chelsea, is set to make his 100th league appearance
  • Cardiff are without a win in their last six games in all competitions for their worst run under manager Neil Warnock

CHELSEA vs CARDIFF

Chelsea XI: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic, Pedro, Giroud, Hazard.

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

TEAM NEWS

14:40: Olivier Giroud traded places with Alvaro Morata to start up front in Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Cardiff, with the Spanish striker dropping to the bench.

Pedro slotted into the starting XI with Willian also stepping down to the bench.

Ruben Loftus Cheek missed out with a shin issue, with Cesc Fabregas not ready to return after knee trouble.

Josh Murphy (hamstring) and Aron Gunnarsson (knee) both missed out for Cardiff.

CHELSEA vs CARDIFF

14:35: And here are the line-ups for today’s clash. A quick glance tells me that Maurizio Sarri has opted for Olivier Giroud ahead of Alvaro Morata in attack.

Chelsea XI: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic, Pedro, Giroud, Hazard.

Subs: Caballero, Zappacosta, Christensen, Drinkwater, Barkley, Willian, Morata.

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

Subs: Murphy, Peltier, Richards, Cunningham, Paterson, Zohore, Madine.

CHELSEA vs CARDIFF

Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas could be asked to train rather than sit on the bench. The playmaker is fit again following a knee injury, but may not be considered by boss Maurizio Sarri just yet. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is a doubt with a shin injury, although he has featured sparingly for Chelsea this season, while Emerson Palmieri and Davide Zappacosta (both illness) are doubts.

Josh Murphy faces a late fitness test, having been troubled by a slight hamstring problem over the last fortnight, with Cardiff manager Neil Warnock again expected to link Bobby Reid and Danny Ward in attack. Aron Gunnarsson is still nursing a knee problem after missing international duty with Iceland and is unlikely to be risked.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Chelsea L W W W W; Cardiff D L D D L

Top scorers (all competitions): Pedro (Chelsea) 3; Victor Camarasa, Bruno Ecuele Manga & Danny Ward (Cardiff) 1

Referee: Jonathan Moss (County Durham)