Plenty of neutrals are tipping Leeds to beat Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, however the decision to change manager has left Paul Merson thinking the Blues can be victorious.
Chelsea’s nightmare run of form in the Premier League saw Liam Rosenior lose his job after just three months in charge.
Rosenior had the FA Cup run to hang his hat on as a successful venture, however it will be noted that he didn’t face a Premier League opponent during the run to the semi-final.
Finish our XI for the FA Cup semi-final…
Fingers crossed Pedro and Palmer are fit…
Paul Merson predicts Chelsea 2-1 Leeds in the FA Cup semi-final
Calum McFarlane will take interim charge for the second time at Wembley, and he has the respect of the players after stepping in after the departure of Enzo Maresca.
Paul Merson believes the change of manager plays a big part in his thinking when predicting the semi-final, and he stated on his TikTok that he believes the Blues will book their place in the final with a narrow 2-1 win.
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He said: “Chelsea vs Leeds, I think Chelsea have a chance now, I think with the manager, the way they played at Brighton, just didn’t seem that they were working for the manager.
“Now with Callum coming in again, who was, I thought, put on an outstanding team performance against Man City, and the longer that game gone on another 10 minutes, I think Chelsea probably win that game. So, massive game at Wembley. I’m going to go for Chelsea to win 2-1 in a very, very tight game.”
Chelsea will have to achieve a result against Leeds that they have not managed so far this campaign. The Blues were humbled at Elland Road before throwing away a 2-0 advantage at Stamford Bridge to draw that game.
Name the ONE player you want to see given a chance against Leeds United 👀
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Chelsea injury update ahead of Leeds clash
Chelsea are still going to be without club captain Reece James and Levi Colwill, however there is hope that the latter will make an appearance at some stage of this season.
There is more hope that both Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer will be fit enough to return after the pair were ruled out of the recent Brighton clash.
McFarlane will have a decision to make defensively. Jorrel Hato has been one of the stars of the FA Cup campaign so far, and is starting to show real signs of development.
Starting him over Marc Cucurella would be a massive call though, which could see him considered for a role at the heart of defence instead.
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