It’s a quick turnaround for Leeds United and even more so, Chelsea, as the two sides prepare for battle at Elland Road on Wednesday night. A total of 11 players could miss out through injury or suspension.
A huge game given the rivalry between the two sides, Chelsea’s visit to Elland Road is hotly anticipated. Paul Merson predicts Elland Road to be rocking and it certainly will be, but there are other factors at play.
Leeds come into the game with Daniel Farke under massive pressure. Reports claim Farke has two games to save his job, with Chelsea and Liverpool due to visit Elland Road over the course of the next week.
Prediction time for Leeds United v Chelsea
Daniel Farke and Enzo Maresca.
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
However, Farke has given Leeds fans some belief after arguably the best 45-minute display all season away at Man City on Saturday. Leeds came from two down to level the clash, before conceding late on.
Below, we look at which players will be missing the clash, which players are due to return and those that remain doubtful to be involved ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Yorkshire. Seven players will be missing.
Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Seven players missing as Chelsea prepare for trip to Leeds
Chelsea will be without as many as five players on Wednesday night, the most obvious of which is key midfielder Moises Caicedo. The Ecuadorian has been in superb form, but he was sent off against Arsenal.
He will serve a suspension on Wednesday, but he’s not the only Chelsea midfielder to miss out. Dario Essugo is also absent, as is Romeo Lavia. England defender Levi Colwill is a long-term Chelsea absentee.
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Mykhailo Mudryk continues to be sidelined due to an anti-doping violation. For Leeds, Sean Longstaff has picked up a calf issue, and is likely to be out until 2026. Longstaff could miss another seven games.
Then, there is Dan James. After the game against Man City, Daniel Farke confirmed James had picked up a hamstring injury, and while there is no confirmation, Farke hinted it is a bad one. He will not be risked.
The doubts, including three Leeds United players
Chelsea have five players missing, but Reece James could also be absent on Wednesday night. Speaking after Sunday’s draw with Arsenal, Enzo Maresca confirmed James wouldn’t play 90 minutes against Leeds.
The 11 players that could miss Leeds v Chelsea ð¤
Seven players are definitely missing.
Leeds injuries and doubts:
Dan James (out – hamstring)
Sean Longstaff (out – calf)
Anton Stach (doubt – concussion)
James Justin (knock – doubt)
Sebastiaan Bornauw (knee – doubt)
Chelsea injuries and doubts:
Moises Caicedo (out – suspension)
Mykhailo Mudryk (out – suspension)
Levi Colwill (out – knee)
Romeo Lavia (out – thigh)
Dario Essugo (out – thigh)
Reece James (doubt – fitness)
Sean Longstaff in action during Nottingham Forest v Leeds United - Premier League
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images
Maresca will be keen to get a result against Leeds, having lost both of his matches against the Whites during Farke’s first season at Elland Road as Leicester manager. Leeds have three players who are doubts.
Last week, Farke said Anton Stach was observing concussion protocol and if everything went to plan, he would be training again on Sunday. Whether that has gone to plan, Farke will confirm on Tuesday.
Farke said James Justin got a knock against Man City, but is confident the full-back is okay. Sebastiaan Bornauw was a late call against Man City, but after a few extra days recovering, he could be available.
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