This Carabao Cup game between Cardiff City and Chelsea takes place at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday, Dec. 16. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. GMT local time in the UK, which is 3 p.m. ET or 12 p.m. PT in the US, and 7 a.m. AEDT on Wednesday morning in Australia.

Cardiff braced for three festive derbies against Scarlets, Dragons and Ospreys that could shape their United Rugby Championship play-off hopes.

Chelsea are set to ring the changes against Brian Barry-Murphy's side under the lights in Cardiff, with Maresca confirming Cole Palmer will not be available for the cup tie. Marc Cucurella is suspended for the visitors, while Moises Caicedo is once again available following his domestic three-match ban.

The Italian was speaking after Chelsea booked their place in the Carabao Cup semi-final with a 3-1 win over Cardiff City in Wales.

Cardiff and Scarlets are hopeful of retaining their top players after Wales captains Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake opted to swap Ospreys for Gloucester.

Yet even with the lead, Chelsea still allowed Cardiff to get back in the game, conceding an equaliser in the 75th minute. Had it not been for Pedro Neto’s late winner, the Blues were looking at a shock scoreline once the final whistle sounded.