Chelsea vs. Cardiff City tips & value odds – 2018/19 EPL betting

Chelsea looks set to maintain their perfect start to the 2018/19 English Premier League campaign when they welcome Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon.

The Blues have churned out four wins on the bounce, with their last one being a 2-0 triumph over Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth right before the first international break of the season.

Victory over the Cherries was however no mean feat, as Chelsea had to dig deep before finally breaking the shackles through Pedro who scored the opening goal late in the match. The Spaniard combined well with fellow substitute Olivier Giroud before working the angle and gliding the ball into the back of the net in the 72nd minute.

Bournemouth were made to rue the numerous open chances they had missed earlier on in the match when Eden Hazard produced a sweeping left footed finish courtesy of Marcos Alonso; the goal inevitably putting the result beyond reach for the visitors five minutes from stoppage time.

The perfect start to the campaign as such has Chelsea level on points with Liverpool, albeit second on the log behind Jurgen Klopp’s side that has a superior goal difference.

Despite the managerial change in the English summer that saw Antonio Conte replaced by another Italian in Maurizio Sarri, the Stamford Bridge side looks to have against all odds retained their capacity as genuine title contenders- much like they have in recent years whenever they bring in a new gaffer.

Chelsea are still a work in progress and will without question face sterner tests as the season goes by, but their confidence and tidiness can only grow exponentially with every new win.

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Cardiff City on the other hand have not had much by way of luck, as their return to the top flight has been blighted by two draws and two defeats in their opening matches. Arsenal are the most recent team to have denied the Bluebirds their first win of the season following a 3-2 win in Wales in their final match before the international break.

The Gunners made a predictably fine start by going ahead in the eleventh minute through a Shkodran Mustafi header, but the hosts stung back thanks to Victor Camarasa’s first goal for the club right at the tail end of the first half.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang restored Arsenal’s lead in the 62nd minute after curling one in right at the edge of the area, but Neil Warnock’s side remained hot on their heels, as Danny Ward scored the equalizing header eight minutes later.

As it were, it was Arsenal that brought the pulsating match to a grandstand finish, with Alexandre Lacazette stealing the winner nine minutes from time.

The loss as a consequence has Cardiff fifth from bottom with two points, already ten points adrift of Liverpool, Chelsea and surprise package Watford.

Cesc Fabregas remains an injury doubt following a knock he picked on his knee while on pre-season, whereas Marco van Ginkel is out for the entirety of the season after undergoing knee surgery.

As for Cardiff, Neil Warnock could potentially have a clean bill of health as he looks poised to welcome Aron Gunnarsson back from a knee injury.

Chelsea vs. Cardiff City betting predictions

Level on points with the league leaders and with a side that is slowly getting inculcated with his style and personal panache; Maurizio Sarri couldn’t have had a better start to life at the Bridge.

The former Napoli boss could quite possibly make a quieted ascension to the top of the Premier League table with a win, given the testing fixtures that both Liverpool and Watford have this weekend.

Chelsea vs. Cardiff City recent results

Cardiff City 1-2 Chelsea (May 11, 2014)
César Azpilicueta 15′ (OG)
André Schürrle 72′
Fernando Torres 75′

Chelsea 4-1 Cardiff City (October 19, 2013)
Eden Hazard 33′, 82′
Samuel Eto’o 66′
Oscar 78′
Jordon Mutch 10′

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