Cardiff City host Chelsea on Sunday, May 11th (7 AM Pacific) at Cardiff City Stadium. An unusual circumstance has emerged where both teams have either lost title hopes or lost the chance to stay in the league. Chelsea has dropped too many points to grasp the title, while Cardiff City has already been relegated. With nothing to lose, the game will be an experiment for both teams.
Chelsea this season has showed impressive victories against top six sides, but seems to struggle against less threatening teams. In the past six games, Chelsea has dropped eight points against Crystal Palace, Sunderland, and Norwich City. If Chelsea had beaten Crystal Palace and Sunderland, the title would have been theirs.
Cardiff City were unable to survive in the Premier League. The squad has shown bursts of young talent, but has been unable to stay consistent. It will be interesting to see when/if they return to the Premier League. With one win in their last six games, relegation is a good description word of their season.
The key player for Chelsea in this game is Cesar Azpilicueta. The Spaniard certainly has been the most consistent player at the squad and has shown incredible adaptation to the league. If he can exhibit one last performance he will surely receives Chelsea’s Player of the Year award.
The key player for Cardiff will be Steven Caulker. The young 22 Englishman has shown much promise for his side this season. So much so, that he is in speculation for being taken to the World Cup in Brazil. One last strong performance could sway his international career.
Jose Mourinho cannot be happy with his team’s result this season in the Premier League. The Special One is unhappy to settle for a 3rd place finish, but will look to improve for next year.
Cardiff manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær will go out this game. Having already suffered from relegation, his squad will go out and put in a performance with no regrets. Solskjær will be looking ahead and will be hoping to have success in the Championship League.
Prediction: 3-0
Chelsea will win this game without a struggle. It will be a relaxed game without any pressure, but the players will still want to go out and prove something for themselves. Cardiff lack the concrete style of play it takes to compete in the Premier League, and Chelsea will overpower them in every position of the field.
TV Schedule: NBC Sports Live Extra
