Leeds United v Chelsea is a fixture steeped in English football history. A rivalry that has lasted the ages and remains to this day ahead of a 110th fixture between the two sides.
Leeds play host to Chelsea on Wednesday night at Stamford Bridge, with Daniel Farke’s future on the line. Reports claim Farke needs a result against Chelsea or Liverpool if he is to remain as manager at Leeds.
Prediction time for Leeds United v Chelsea
Daniel Farke and Enzo Maresca.
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
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A difficult position given the quality of the opposition, but defeats to the likes of Fulham, Burnley, Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest have put Farke in this position. However, there is some optimism at Leeds.
A brilliant second-half comeback at Man City almost saw Leeds produce one of the shock results of the Premier League season so far, only for Phil Foden to score a winner. But it has renewed some Leeds hope.
Trevor Chalobah recalls facing Leeds United with Huddersfield
Indeed, a 3-5-2 system that had not been used much by Farke before Man City was deployed. It showed Farke was able to adapt, be proactive, and use tactical nous to get Leeds a result against a better side.
There is hope then, that Leeds and Farke could get a result against Chelsea if Farke sticks with a 3-5-2 system. But the size of the game is not lost on Chelsea, with Trevor Chalobah describing it as “huge”.
Trevor Chalobah in action for Chelsea.
Photo by David Cliff/Anadolu via Getty Images
Speaking to Chelsea’s website, Chalobah said he recalls playing at Elland Road while on loan with rivals Huddersfield and pointed out the atmosphere, before going on to describe the game as a “final”.
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“It’s going to be huge. For me, playing against Leeds while I was on loan at Huddersfield, the atmosphere there, playing at that stadium, I know exactly what it’s going to be like. It’s a huge game,” Chalobah said.
“We have to treat every game as a final and Wednesday is another final, we have to be ready because we know what’s coming,” the Chelsea defender said, ahead of Wednesday night’s clash against Leeds United.
Injury round-up as Cole Palmer available for Chelsea return
Both sides have issues ahead of the game. Chelsea will be without three central midfielders after Moises Caicedo’s red card against Arsenal, while Dario Essugo and Romeo Lavia are injured and will also miss out.
The 11 players that could miss Leeds v Chelsea 🤕
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
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Enzo Maresca confirms Reece James won’t play 90 minutes, with Mykhailo Mudryk and Levi Colwill long-term absentees. But, Maresca has confirmed that Cole Palmer is available and could feature against Leeds.
Meanwhile, Leeds will be without Sean Longstaff and Dan James, with Farke confirming the latter is set to miss the next two months of action. Anton Stach, James Justin and Seb Bornauw are fit and available.
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