Chelsea’s trip to Leeds United is already being billed as the hosts’ biggest game of the Premier League season so far, with Daniel Farke’s future at Elland Road hanging by a thread.
Reports say that Farke has to get a result against either Chelsea or Liverpool if he is to save his tenure as Leeds manager. It comes after six defeats in seven Premier League games, Leeds slipping into 18th place.
Prediction time for Leeds United v Chelsea
Daniel Farke and Enzo Maresca.
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
However, there is renewed hope. Leeds produced arguably their best 45-minute display of the season at Man City in the second half, coming close to producing a stunning comeback having gone 2-0 down.
A new formation was used, Farke was proactive, and it gives Leeds fans hope ahead of Chelsea under the Elland Road lights. LeedsUnited.News spoke to The Chelsea Chronicle’s Jack Drury ahead of the game.
Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Chelsea’s weaknesses that Daniel Farke has got to exploit
Chelsea will be without five players on Wednesday night, three of whom are central midfielders. Moises Caicedo picked up a red card on Sunday, and he joins Dario Essugo and Romeo Lavia on the sidelines.
Enzo Maresca has hinted Reece James won’t be able to play 90 minutes, and that means Chelsea will be somewhat makeshift in midfield. Chelsea expert Drury said centre-back and midfield can be exploited.
“Chelsea fans are delighted at the moment. Showing a great ability to set up in the big games, but now need to prove they can break down more stubborn defences. Cole Palmer’s return is a massive boost.
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“Weaknesses are likely to be at centre-back, but if Leeds are up for it, they should fancy a chance at the midfield battle without Moises Caicedo. Maresca also hinted Reece James won’t start the game,” he said.
Prediction given with Leeds United expected to start quickly
Farke can instantly galvanise the fanbase if he uses a 3-5-2 formation on Wednesday night, building on the momentum his side garnered from their second-half showing against Man City on the weekend.
If he does that, Elland Road will be optimistic, and the rivalry with Chelsea will have the home crowd ready for war on Wednesday night. Leeds will start quickly, and Farke’s men simply have to take advantage.
Drury believes Leeds will fly out of the blocks, but similarly to Paul Merson’s prediction, he expects the London outfit to prevail and secure a 3-1 win at Elland Road. Chelsea’s attack is one to be feared.
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
“Chelsea will rotate after a big week and games against Barcelona. James and Caicedo won’t start, and there is a chance Marc Cucurella gets a rest too. However, rotation could also see Cole Palmer return.
“Away from home, Chelsea are only a point behind Arsenal, with an away game in hand. 14 goals scored and five conceded in six games. Expect Leeds to start strong but Chelsea to wrestle control of the game.”
Leeds will be without Dan James and Sean Longstaff, but could welcome back Anton Stach and defender Sebastiaan Bornauw. James Justin appears to be fine after coming off on Saturday, after 69 minutes.
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