Cardiff Cup & Thrust

Cardiff City travel to Stamford Bridge for an FA Cup fifth round tie against Chelsea, having won all four previous League Cup and FA Cup ties against the Blues.

As is becoming tradition, Carlo Ancelotti named his side ahead of kick off. Hilario is the goalkeeper, whilst Ferreira, Alex, Carvalho and Zhirkov make up the back four. Mikel, Ballack, Lampard and Joe Cole are in midfield and Drogba is partnered by cup specialist Daniel Sturridge in attack.

Cardiff will likely be missing Gavin Rae and Joe Ledley from their midfield whilst Stephen McPhail and Jay Bothroyd are in doubt after picking up injuries in the midweek victory over Peterborough. Peter Whittingham and Michael Chopra are fit, however, and will be two players to keep an eye on.

Cardiff’s last trip to Stamford Bridge was in 1983, for a match in the old Second Division. Pat Nevin and Colin Lee scored in a 2-0 Chelsea win. Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 16 FA Cup ties at Stamford Bridge, 14 of those were victories. Arsenal were the last team to win a cup tie there, in the 2003 quarter final.

Ladbrokes has installed Chelsea as very, very short priced favourites at 1/7 for this match. The draw is paying 13/2, whilst a Cardiff upset is at very long odds, paying an immense 16/1.