It may not be as glamorous as last year’s FA Cup semifinal at Wembley, but games between Chelsea and Leeds are always an occasion, especially in a cup setting.
That said, both sides have rotated for this League Cup third round matchup, with Xabi Alonso giving starts to some fresh faces, including young Reggie Watson, all of 16 years and 226 days old — our fourth youngest player ever.
**Chelsea starting lineup (3-4-2-1):**
Penders | Colwill (c), Lacroix, Acheampong | Chavarría, Barco, Watson, Gusto | Gittens, Estêvão | Welbeck
_Substitutes from: Martínez, Fofana, Hato, James, Neto, Palmer, Quenda, Rogers, João Pedro_
**Leeds United starting XI:**
Zetterer | Bard, Justin, Muharemović, Bijol, Ampadu, Longstaff, James, Wilson, Aaronson, Nmecha
_Substitutes from: Trafford, Bogle, Gudmundsson, Elvedi, Tanaka, Stach, Okafor, Bahoya, Calvert-Lewin_
**Date / Time:** Wednesday, September 9, 2026, 20.00 BST; 3pm EDT; 12:30am IST (next day)
**Venue:** Stamford Bridge, SW6
**Referee:** Jarred Gillett (on pitch; no VAR)
**On TV:** Sky Sports Main Event (UK); none (USA); none (India); Startimes World Football (NGA); [elsewhere](https://www.livesoccertv.com/match/chelsea-vs-leeds-united/26tto#5773583)
**Streaming:** Sky Go (UK); Paramount+ (USA); FanCode (India); DStv Now (NGA)
Be excellent to each other, and party on, dudes!
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