Chelsea have a quick turnaround after a tough 90 minutes on Sunday, facing Leeds in a midweek Premier League clash.
This week will be a test for Chelsea. After two top performances against Barcelona and Arsenal, the trip to Elland Road feels like the kind of fixture where this side has stumbled in recent seasons.
Enzo Maresca will likely field a somewhat rotated XI, with a jam-packed schedule ahead of the Blues.
Despite the tough task of forecasting who will be on the pitch, The Chelsea Chronicle have three predictions for Wednesday’s meeting with Leeds.
Chelsea vs Leeds sees even more bookings
Sunday’s clash was heated. Arsenal were fined by the FA after picking up six yellows, and Chelsea saw Moises Caicedo sent off.
But Leeds vs Chelsea has a history of being a charged affair. Not to mention, the referee Darren England has a contentious history with Leeds.
Why do Chelsea and Leeds hate each other so much?
A rivalry which started in the 1960s, the biggest flashpoint came in the 1970 FA Cup final
Add to that the mounting pressure on the team, and particularly Daniel Farke, and we could see a shaky, somewhat aggressive approach from the home side.
Chelsea have a tendency for getting in trouble with the referee themselves.
Andrew Santos has another strong performance against Leeds
We mentioned Caicedo’s sending off — he won’t be available. To add to that, Maresca says he’s likely to rest Reece James.
That means Enzo Fernandez will likely be joined by Andrey Santos in the middle of the park.
The Brazilian was stellar in his last outing against Burnley and will prove himself an able deputy again in midweek.
Chelsea players celebrating after scoring against Bayer Leverkusen in a pre-season friendly.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea fans see Cole Palmer and Estevao Willian on the pitch together
It’s time. Maresca is going to answer the cries of Chelsea fans and show us Estevao and Cole Palmer in action together.
Palmer was available for Arsenal, but didn’t make an appearance from the bench. He needs to get minutes in his legs ahead of a busy Christmas schedule, and this feels like the perfect opportunity against a struggling Leeds side.
Estevao was hooked after 45 minutes against Arsenal, so he too should be fresh.
Who will have the better career at Chelsea?
Considering how much time Palmer has missed, paired with Maresca’s slow introduction of the Brazilian, Chelsea fans have barely seen the two string a pass together.
By all appearances, they are the future stars of Chelsea, and the sooner we can get a taste of what that looks like, the better.