2022-23 Premier League: Week Three – Leeds vs Chelsea

Leeds United welcome Chelsea to Elland Road in a Super Sunday clash between two English footballing giants.

Both teams enter this tie locked on four points apiece knowing that victory could send them as high as second, depending on how Brighton also fare elsewhere.

 

Team News

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Patrick Bamford is a doubt for Leeds after he was substituted with an adductor issue during last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Southampton.

Joe Gelhardt (leg) and Liam Cooper (Achilles) could also be in contention but Junior Firpo, Luke Ayling (both knee) and Stuart Dallas (thigh) remain ruled out.

Chelsea will be without N’Golo Kante after he suffered a hamstring injury in their 2-2 draw against Tottenham last Sunday.

Mateo Kovacic (knee), Christian Pulisic (Achilles), Armando Broja and Marcos Alonso (both personal) are ruled out.

 

Stat Attack

• Leeds have claimed just two points from their last seven Premier League meetings against Chelsea (D2, L5).
• Chelsea have lost just one of their last five Premier League visits to Elland Road (W1, D3, L1).
• Chelsea’s Mason Mount scored in both appearances against Leeds last season (W2).
• Three of Leeds’ four goals so far this season have been scored by Rodrigo.
• Reece James has been yellow carded in each of Chelsea’s two opening matches this season.

 

Prediction

Having shown their comeback spirit in their opening match to beat Wolves, Leeds seemed to pick up from where they left off last weekend at Southampton with two clinical goals amidst a lot of frustrated attacks, yet defensive focus dipped at 2-0 up which ultimately cost them the win.

Chelsea meanwhile were much better against Tottenham last weekend than they were at Everton a fortnight ago, having shown more intensity and organisation in both attack and overall movement yet defensive mistakes allowed Spurs to snatch a point so more tightening up is needed here.

If Thomas Tuchel’s Blues indeed cut out their defensive errors and still play like they did last weekend, I can’t see them losing this no matter what Leeds throw at them even though the hosts’ Jack Harrison will be a tough challenge to silence for long periods of the match.

Prediction: Leeds 1-2 Chelsea

Result: Leeds 3-0 Chelsea