Leeds United vs Chelsea – prediction, team news, lineups

Squaring as much as a facet whom he’s but to beat in a aggressive recreation, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca takes his staff to Elland Street for a Premier League date with Leeds United on Wednesday night time.

The Blues got here out of Sunday’s conflict with Arsenal with a creditable 1-1 draw, however the Whites’ Etihad efforts had been in useless in a 3-2 loss to Manchester Metropolis final day trip.

Match preview

A frenzied first half-hour between Chelsea and Arsenal noticed no fewer than three yellow playing cards brandished to Gunners gamers, who struggled to match the depth of Maresca’s males, but it surely was the boys in blue who would incur a seemingly inevitable pink.

Moises Caicedo’s sending-off didn’t diminish Chelsea’s attacking fervour, although, and the Membership World Cup winners went forward via a fragile Trevoh Chalobah header, earlier than Mikel Merino received the Gunners again on stage phrases.

After Caicedo’s deserved dismissal, Sunday’s draw was definitely a case of 1 level gained somewhat than two misplaced for Chelsea, even when they’ve now been leapfrogged by Arsenal’s new closest challengers Manchester Metropolis within the Premier League desk.

Avoiding defeat in opposition to Mikel Arteta’s males additionally prolonged the Blues’ unbeaten run to seven matches in all tournaments, and Maresca’s males have hit a scorching streak away from residence of late, successful 5 and drawing one in every of their final six on the highway.

That run contains three straight Premier League successes at Tottenham Hotspur, Burnley and Nottingham Forest, and the guests to Elland Street have additionally discovered the again of the web in all 10 of their away video games this time period.

Chelsea’s attacking metrics make for dismal studying for a Leeds facet who’ve conceded a number of objectives in every of their final 4 Premier League matches, all of which have led to defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and most just lately Man Metropolis.

Daniel Farke’s males appeared to have pulled off a colossal comeback from 2-0 down in opposition to the Sky Blues, nevertheless, just for Phil Foden to pop up together with his second of the afternoon within the first minute of second-half damage time.

The Whites boss was lower than impressed with the Sky Blues’ obvious gamesmanship ways after Gianluigi Donnarumma went down with a supposed damage – giving Pep Guardiola the prospect to seek the advice of together with his staff on the touchline – however Leeds might take loads of coronary heart from their spirited second-half show.

Nevertheless, spirited shows that don’t put any factors on the board are largely in useless for Leeds, who stay within the relegation zone however are solely adrift of West Ham United on objectives scored with a 3rd of the season gone.

The hosts’ file of two wins, two losses and two attracts at Elland Street this time period is hardly abysmal both, and the Whites’ final win over Chelsea got here of their final assembly at this floor in 2022 – a stellar 3-0 success over Thomas Tuchel’s staff.

Premier League Standings

Final 6 matches

Leeds United – Residence type (final 6 Premier League)

Chelsea – Away type (final 6 Premier League)

Staff Information

Chelsea: Moises Caicedo begins a three-match ban after his pink card vs Arsenal. Reece James is prone to be rested after a man-of-the-match show. Andrey Santos anticipated to companion Enzo Fernández in midfield. Levi Colwill (knee), Romeo Lavia (thigh) and Mykhaylo Mudryk (suspended) stay out.

Leeds United: James Justin picked up a knock vs Man Metropolis however described as minor. Sebastiaan Bornauw (knee) and Anton Stach (concussion) ought to return. Sean Longstaff possible out till 2026 (calf). Daniel James out for 2 months (hamstring). Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha set to start out up entrance after spectacular cameo on the Etihad.

Potential Lineups

Key Statistics Comparability

Prediction

Leeds have proven struggle in current performances however stay extraordinarily weak defensively, delivery a number of objectives in every of their final 4 league video games. Chelsea are in glorious away type (5W-1D in final six highway journeys) and have stored clear sheets of their final three home away matches.

Even with out Caicedo, the Blues possess far superior high quality and depth. Leeds might threaten from set-pieces and counter-attacks, however Chelsea ought to have an excessive amount of firepower.

Anticipated consequence: Leeds United 1-3 Chelsea

Greatest guess: Chelsea to win & Over 2.5 objectives