Chelsea vs Cardiff Predictions

There were valid concerns over the appointment of Maurizio Sarri back at the start of August. The new Chelsea man had overseen a pre-season campaign lacking in inspiration and then opened his competitive account with a dismal showing in their Comunity Shield defeat. Those critics are turning back on their words now though.

The former Napoli man, who has no major silverware in his trophy cabinet, has guided Chelsea to a perfect start in the Premier League. They saw off Huddersfield in comfortable fashion in gameweek one, and followed that with a thrilling if somewhat fortuitous 3-2 win over Arsenal.

Since then they have beaten both Newcastle and the in form Bournemouth to sit 2nd in the Premier League table, behind Liverpool on goal difference alone and just ahead of the incredibly impressive Watford. Now, with Liverpool facing Spurs at Wembley, Chelsea have a real opportunity to go clear at the top of the table.

It’s a game they’ll be expected to win comfortably, because their newly promoted visitors aren’t exactly setting the top flight alight. Cardiff are four games into their return to the Premier League and still haven’t even threatened to take all three points.

They lost 2-0 at Bournemouth to open the season before back to back goalless draws against Newcastle and Huddersfield. Last time out they did manage to find the net for the first time against the defensively frail Arsenal, but an 81st minute Alexandre Lacazette goal saw them succumb to a 3-2 defeat. It seems that by opening their attacking play up they severely weaken the only area in which they are strong in.

This is not good news for Neil Warnock coming into this game. Chelsea have been excellent going forward at times, if a bit wasteful, and they will be confident of wearing even a defensively minded Cardiff down. If the Welsh outfit decide to come out and attack them, the chances are that we could end up with a cricket score.

We’re likely to see a more reserved Cardiff side here, and as such their chances of getting on the scoresheet look very slim indeed. Chelsea have kept two clean sheets in four games this season and they’re facing a Cardiff side who have only scored in one of their opening four Premier League matches. Backing Chelsea to Win to Nil looks a good choice for this clash, along with a reserved 2-0 correct score predictions.