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Preview: Leeds entertain Chelsea in a fixture rich in history

Preview: Leeds entertain Chelsea in a fixture rich in history

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Ask ya’ Dad about this one! A few decades ago, Leeds vs Chelsea was a bigger deal, in recent years, however, the clubs have gone on vastly different trajectories. The players may not know the heritage this game has, but the fans certainly do.

By Alex Roberts

Chelsea should be proud of their performance in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal in their previous game, going down to ten men and outplaying the league leaders for large portions of the game. It’s starting look like Enzo Maresca’s young side are coming of age.

As for Leeds, they came within seconds away from earning a much-needed draw against Man City, but Phil Foden stripped them of that, via some antics from Pep Guardiola and Gianluigi Donnarumma. They can be disappointed, but they need to start securing some points.

The Cole Palmer comeback tour?

Chelsea have been without their most influential player for the vast majority of the season so far, and fans have been itching to see Palmer back on the pitch. He was expected to return against Burnley, but a fractured toe prolonged his stay on the sidelines.

On the few occasions Palmer has played, he’s done about as well as expected, scoring two goals in his four games across all competitions, and with a place in next year’s World Cup squad less than certain, he needs to start making an impression.

Truth be told, Chelsea aren’t as reliant on Palmer as they once were. If the lanky genius had missed the first half of last season, who knows where they would be now. Perhaps that relieves some pressure on him, and Leeds could be the first victims of an even freer Palmer.

Lukas Nmecha is doing his job

There isn’t anyone in this current Leeds squad as in form as Nmecha at this moment in time. Three goals in his previous three Premier League games sounds great, but none of them have resulted in wins for the West Yorkshire club.

Goals are Leeds’ biggest issue. They only have seven different goal scorers so far this season and Nmecha is the only one that has more than two. Only rock-bottom Wolves have scored fewer goals than their 13.

A fit and firing striker is often the difference between staying in the Premier League or falling into the Championship. Nmecha is the closest things Leeds have to that, but all the others need to step up big time too.

Team news

Maresca will be without Moisés Caicedo after the midfielder was shown a straight red for a rash challenge on Mikel Merino last time out. He will miss this and then the next two games for Chelsea through suspension.

Last time Caicedo didn’t feature, which isn’t often, Andrey Santos stepped in and put in arguably his best performance in a Chelsea shirt vs Burnley, so expect him to be called upon here too.

Whether Palmer starts or not is the big question, either way, he will likely be getting a good few minutes in his legs. Maresca also said that Reece James won’t be playing the full 90 minutes after his shift in the Arsenal game.

Levi Colwill (knee), Roméo Lavia (thigh) are still both out. Dário Essugo has returned to full training after a thigh operation but is still working his way back to full fitness.

Moving on to Leeds, Daniel Farke is sweating over the fitness of James Justin after he took a “little hit” in the City game, but he should have Sebastiaan Bornauw and Anton Stach back and in the squad.

It’s not looking while we’ll see Sean Longstaff again before the end of the year due to a calf problem.

Prediction

Leeds vs Chelsea at Elland Road is always going to be explosive. The home side have the ability to do some damage, but we think Chelsea’s quality will shine through, and they’ll bag a 2-1 win.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Preview: Leeds entertain Chelsea in a fixture rich in history

Ask ya’ Dad about this one! A few decades ago, Leeds vs Chelsea was a bigger deal, in recent years, however, the clubs have gone on vastly different trajectories. The players may not know the heritage this game has, but the fans certainly do.

By Alex Roberts

Chelsea should be proud of their performance in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal in their previous game, going down to ten men and outplaying the league leaders for large portions of the game. It’s starting look like Enzo Maresca’s young side are coming of age.

As for Leeds, they came within seconds away from earning a much-needed draw against Man City, but Phil Foden stripped them of that, via some antics from Pep Guardiola and Gianluigi Donnarumma. They can be disappointed, but they need to start securing some points.

The Cole Palmer comeback tour?

Chelsea have been without their most influential player for the vast majority of the season so far, and fans have been itching to see Palmer back on the pitch. He was expected to return against Burnley, but a fractured toe prolonged his stay on the sidelines.

On the few occasions Palmer has played, he’s done about as well as expected, scoring two goals in his four games across all competitions, and with a place in next year’s World Cup squad less than certain, he needs to start making an impression.

Truth be told, Chelsea aren’t as reliant on Palmer as they once were. If the lanky genius had missed the first half of last season, who knows where they would be now. Perhaps that relieves some pressure on him, and Leeds could be the first victims of an even freer Palmer.

Lukas Nmecha is doing his job

There isn’t anyone in this current Leeds squad as in form as Nmecha at this moment in time. Three goals in his previous three Premier League games sounds great, but none of them have resulted in wins for the West Yorkshire club.

Goals are Leeds’ biggest issue. They only have seven different goal scorers so far this season and Nmecha is the only one that has more than two. Only rock-bottom Wolves have scored fewer goals than their 13.

A fit and firing striker is often the difference between staying in the Premier League or falling into the Championship. Nmecha is the closest things Leeds have to that, but all the others need to step up big time too.

Team news

Maresca will be without Moisés Caicedo after the midfielder was shown a straight red for a rash challenge on Mikel Merino last time out. He will miss this and then the next two games for Chelsea through suspension.

Last time Caicedo didn’t feature, which isn’t often, Andrey Santos stepped in and put in arguably his best performance in a Chelsea shirt vs Burnley, so expect him to be called upon here too.

Whether Palmer starts or not is the big question, either way, he will likely be getting a good few minutes in his legs. Maresca also said that Reece James won’t be playing the full 90 minutes after his shift in the Arsenal game.

Levi Colwill (knee), Roméo Lavia (thigh) are still both out. Dário Essugo has returned to full training after a thigh operation but is still working his way back to full fitness.

Moving on to Leeds, Daniel Farke is sweating over the fitness of James Justin after he took a “little hit” in the City game, but he should have Sebastiaan Bornauw and Anton Stach back and in the squad.

It’s not looking while we’ll see Sean Longstaff again before the end of the year due to a calf problem.

Prediction

Leeds vs Chelsea at Elland Road is always going to be explosive. The home side have the ability to do some damage, but we think Chelsea’s quality will shine through, and they’ll bag a 2-1 win.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.