All eyes turn to Wednesday night as Leeds United welcome Club World Cup champions Chelsea to Elland Road, with Daniel Farke’s future on the line – and Paul Merson has predicted the result.
A week ago, Leeds fans were calling for Farke to be sacked. Reports say that Farke has to get a result against either Chelsea or Liverpool at Elland Road to avoid the dreaded phone call from Paraag Marathe.
Prediction time for Leeds United v Chelsea
Daniel Farke and Enzo Maresca.
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
The Leeds chairman has already shown his ruthless streak north of the border, sacking Russell Martin as well as Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell. So, the Premier League circus turns to Elland Road next.
A massive game, a rivalry steeped in history, as Leeds host Chelsea. Probably, the biggest game at Elland Road this season. Paul Merson says he expects Elland Road to be “rocking”, before providing a prediction.
Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Paul Merson predicts a narrow result as Leeds take on Chelsea
Farke needs a result, but that will be difficult, given the Blues come into the game having stolen a point against Arsenal despite playing large parts of the game with 10 men after Moises Caicedo’s red card.
Speaking to Sports Keeda, former Arsenal icon Merson believes Elland Road will be bouncing and it is on Chelsea to survive a quick Leeds start. He believes Chelsea will go on to secure a 2-1 win at Elland Road.
“This is a big game for Chelsea fans because they don’t get along very well with their Leeds counterparts. It’s a rivalry that stretches back to the 1970s. Elland Road will be rocking; Chelsea will have to be careful.
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“In the first 20 minutes, the crowd will be firmly behind Leeds and the hosts will be buzzing. Chelsea must weather that early storm, and then they can play their football and go on to win it,” Merson said.
Leeds United have only won three times in 18 games against Chelsea ð
STATS
Leeds United have won just three times in 18 meetings between the two sides since the turn of the century under David O’Leary, Terry Venables and Jesse Marsch
Chelsea have won 11 times, the other four being drawn
Leeds have won just one of their last 12 midweek games, a 2-1 win v Forest in 2023
Daniel Farke has never beaten Chelsea (1D, 5L)
Daniel Farke has beaten Enzo Maresca twice in two games (Leeds did the double over Leicester in 2023-24)
Daniel Farke of Leeds United
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Leeds United injury round-up ahead of Chelsea clash
It was only a fortnight ago that Farke was confirming a clean bill of health for his Leeds side but that has changed. Sean Longstaff could miss another seven games, after being absent for the loss to Man City.
Anton Stach is back after observing concussion protocol, having returned to training on Sunday. Then, Farke confirmed Dan James picked up a hamstring injury, and that was why he was hooked at half-time.
James Justin also came off on 69 minutes, though Farke confirmed Justin had suffered an impact injury. For Wednesday’s clash, Longstaff and James will be missing, but Stach and Justin should be available.
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