Leeds United vs Chelsea
Date: 13/03/2021
K/O: 12:30
Venue: Elland Road
Referee: Kevin Friend
TV: BT Sport
Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea revolution travels to Leeds United for Saturday’s lunchtime kick off, with Marcelo Bielsa’s side enduring a wobble in their first season back in the Premier League.
The Whites fell to a frustrating 2-0 defeat at West Ham on Monday night – their fourth in five Premier League matches – and will start the game in 11th position in the table. Chelsea, meanwhile, will look to strengthen their grip on the top four, having played a game more than rivals West Ham and Everton.
The reverse fixture resulted in a 3-1 win for Frank Lampard’s Blues in December, with goals from Olivier Giroud, Kurt Zouma and Christian Pulisic sealing the points after Patrick Bamford’s opener for Leeds.
Thiago Silva is the only fresh injury concern for either side meaning Leeds could name an unchanged lineup from last weekend, though Chelsea are likely to rotate personnel with one eye on their Champions League round of 16 second leg against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
Team News
Leeds United
Marcelo Bielsa confirmed on Thursday that Pascal Struijk and Pablo Hernandez remain unavailable for the visit of Chelsea, though Jamie Shackleton and long term absentees Robin Koch and Gaetano Berardi are fit.
Leeds have rarely made unenforced changes to their starting lineup in 2020/21, though Tyler Roberts and Helder Costa have been given chances to impress in recent weeks. With an almost full squad to choose from, we may see close to Bielsa’s first choice XI for the first time this season.
Illan Meslier is expected to continue in goal, with Luke Ayling set to start at right back. Robin Koch is believed to be scheduled to feature for The Whites’ under-23s so remains unlikely to add to his 11 Premier League appearances, leaving Liam Cooper and Diego Llorente set to continue at centre back in the absence of Pascal Struijk, though Berardi retains an outside chance of a first appearance of the season.
The supremely versatile Stuart Dallas appears certain to start in some role, though it remains to be seen whether that is at left back or in midfield. Ezgjan Alioski will return at left back if the Northern Irishman does move forward, with Mateusz Klich most likely to be sacrificed in the middle of the park. Kalvin Phillips returned unscathed against West Ham and will surely continue to anchor the midfield, while Rodrigo is expected to provide the Whites’ creative spark in central areas once more.
Patrick Bamford and Raphinha are as good as nailed on up front and on the wing respectively, though Jack Harrison could replace Helder Costa on the left wing having replaced the Portuguese at half time during the defeat at West Ham.
Chelsea
Thiago Silva returned to the bench for The Blues victory over Everton but suffered a minor setback in training that has ruled him out of the weekend’s action. Tammy Abraham also remains out.
Edouard Mendy remains first choice keeper despite the competition from Kepa Arrizabalaga, while Antonio Rudiger was rested completely last weekend and could return in the back three. Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen appear most likely to make way with captain Cesar Azpilicueta starting every league match under Tuchel to date.
Ben Chilwell could come in for Marcos Alonso at left wing back, while Reece James appears in a direct duel with Callum Hudson-Odoi on the right. Ngolo Kante could make an immediate return in midfield having started on the bench against the Toffees, with Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic at risk of rotation.
Mason Mount was afforded a rare rest last time out and is expected to return in attacking midfield, with Timo Werner and Kai Havertz facing competition from the likes of Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic and Olivier Giroud.
Head to Head Record and Stats
- All-time Premier League H2H record: Leeds United 8-9 Chelsea (8 draws)
- Last 10 H2H record (all competitions): Leeds United 2-6 Chelsea (2 draws)
- Thursday 11th March marked Marcelo Bielsa’s 1000th day in charge of Leeds United.
- Chelsea are the only unbeaten team in the Premier League since Thomas Tuchel took over in January.
Predicted Starting XIs
Leeds United (4-1-4-1): Meslier; Ayling, Llorente, Cooper, Dallas; Phillips; Raphinha, Klich, Rodrigo, Harrison; Bamford
Chelsea (3-4-2-1): Mendy; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; Hudson-Odoi, Kante, Kovacic, Chilwell; Mount, Ziyech; Giroud
Score Prediction: Leeds United 0-2 Chelsea
Leeds looked tired in defeat to West Ham, though they were unfortunate to return North without a goal. Chelsea look imperious at the moment however and will offer Leeds scraps at most in attack. Patrick Bamford will have to be more clinical if the Whites are to take anything from this game, which I can’t foresee.
