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Chelsea make the trip to south Wales this evening as the west Londoners go head-to-head with Cardiff City for a place in the semi-finals of this season's Carabao Cup
Enzo Maresca is expected to make wholesale changes to his Chelsea side for this evening's Carabao Cup quarter-final tie with Cardiff City in south Wales.
The Blues come up against the Bluebirds tonight in the Welsh capital for a place in the last four of the competition. After an impressive performance to beat Everton 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, Maresca is expected to dive deep into his squad in terms of the personnel he fields at the Cardiff City Stadium this evening.
So, with that being said, football.london has a go at predicting what Maresca will do this evening.
Filip Jorgensen
The Danish goalkeeper has made just four appearances in all competitions this season but could return to the line-up this evening. Jorgensen featured for the Blues in the last round at Wolverhampton Wanderers and a few weeks before at Lincoln City, and could continue his run in the Carabao Cup.
Josh Acheampong
Surely there will be rests for Malo Gusto and Reece James, who have both played a lot of football recently. Acheampong was outstanding for Chelsea against Atalanta last week, where he played at right-back, and could do so again in Wales.
Tosin Adarabioyo
Tosin was poor the last time he started at Leeds United and Maresca acknowledged that in a later press conference. But this feels like the perfect game for the experienced central defender to return to the side, with Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah likely to be rested.
Benoit Badiashile
The Frenchman has been used sporadically since returning from injury with Maresca cautious of the defender's workload. Badiashile was used last week in Bergamo but was rested for the win over Everton at the weekend, so there is a big chance the 24-year-old returns to the team this evening.
Jorrel Hato
Marc Cucurella has played every single minute since the last international break. That is an absurd amount of football in such a short space of time and that is why Hato needs to come back into the side this evening. The Dutch defender has not been used since his nightmare against Qarabag last month, so will be eager to prove a point should he be picked.
Moises Caicedo
In usual circumstances, Caicedo would be nowhere near this side, but given the fact he has played just one game - away in Italy last week - since his red card against Arsenal last month, there is actually an argument the Ecuadorian needs the minutes.
Andrey Santos
Andrey Santos has made seven starts this season, and two of them have come in the Carabao Cup. The Brazilian has shown glimpses of his undeniable talent in the competition, particularly in the last round against Wolves, and will be hoping to do so again this evening as he looks to win over Maresca.
Estevao Willian
Surely a start for the 18-year-old winger. Estevao has not started since the defeat at Leeds United and supporters are desperate to see him in action again. Pedro Neto needs a rest.
Facundo Buonanotte
We have not seen Buonanotte since November 5 and we have not seen him from the start since the last round of the competition in late-October. Maresca hinted on Monday that we could see the on-loan Argentine in action this evening, with Cole Palmer set to be rested.
Jamie Gittens
Gittens has played plenty of football in the Carabao Cup and that is expected to continue tonight. You would like to see more from the 21-year-old winger, who has only been able to show glimpses of his talent since arriving from Borussia Dortmund over the summer.
Marc Guiu
Guiu has not started a match for Chelsea since October 25, but that almost two-month wait could come to an end this evening. Liam Delap is injured and Joao Pedro has played a lot of football recently, with the Brazilian expected to be rested.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; Acheampong, Tosin, Badiashile, Hato; Andrey Santos, Caicedo; Estevao, Buonanotte, Gittens; Guiu
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