The pressure is back on Chelsea to keep up with the pace at the top of the Premier League when they take on Leeds United tonight.
The fixture at Elland Road will be the latest chapter in a prolonged feud between the two sides which stems back to the 1960s, and resonates particularly with the more senior supporters of the clubs.
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
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Chelsea enjoyed an unbeaten November, and impressed supporters with performances in big games against the likes of Tottenham, Barcelona and Arsenal.
A frequent criticism of Enzo Maresca’s side has been the ability to beat the perceived ‘weaker’ teams in the league, a category Leeds fall into.
Chelsea players celebrating against Barcelona
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Troy Deeney thinks Chelsea won’t be at their best against Leeds
Troy Deeney has already predicted that Chelsea’s level is going to drop on Wednesday night, and told ‘The Football Exchange‘ that he is not going to accept any excuses about the age of the players this time around.
He said: “I’m saying it now. Leeds are a bad team. You will drop your level from ‘there’ to ‘there’ instantly.
“And I just can’t grasp why. I don’t want to hear they’re young. So you can’t pick it up every time now there’s a big game and it’s never spoken about how young they are.
“But every time you drop it it’s oh my god they’re young. Do you get what I’m trying to say? Like it’s so frustrating.”
Troy Deeney working as a pundit for a Championship match.
Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Chelsea expected to make changes for Leeds clash
Maresca has had a few days now to work out how he is going to replace Moises Caicedo, after the Ecuador international was sent off in their recent draw with Arsenal.
It is likely that Andrey Santos comes in to the starting side, especially after Maresca hinted Reece James was likely not to start after the hard-fought shifts he has had to put in recently.
Our XI to face Leeds!
What changes would you make?
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On a more positive note, there is real hope that Chelsea fans could be about to see the return of Cole Palmer, after a groin injury has kept him on the sidelines since September.
The England international was in the matchday squad to face Arsenal, however with the Blues starting to hang on to a point late on, it was decided it was not the best time to reintroduce him.