Chelsea welcome Leeds United to Stamford Bridge in a must-win clash between two struggling clubs.
Victory would see Chelsea stay tenth in the table, whilst Leeds can open up a four-point gap to the relegation zone with a win.
Team News
Cesar Azpilicueta could return for Chelsea after missing their defeat at Tottenham due to concussion.
Mateo Kovacic (illness) could also return but Mason Mount (abdominal) and Reece James (hamstring) are doubts.
Thiago Silva is ruled out with a knee injury suffered at Spurs.
Edouard Mendy (finger), N’Golo Kante (hamstring), Christian Pulisic and Armando Broja (both knee) remain absent.
Leeds could welcome defender, Liam Cooper back into contention after his recovery from a muscle injury.
Pascal Struijk (concussion) and Luis Sinsterra (hamstring) are doubts but Adam Forshaw (hip), Rodrigo (ankle) and Stuart Dallas (thigh) remain ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Chelsea meet Leeds at Stamford Bridge in a 3pm GMT kick-off on Saturday 4 March, albeit untelevised in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Chelsea have lost just one of their last eight league meetings against Leeds (W5, D2, L1).
- Leeds are winless in their last six visits to Stamford Bridge (D1, L5).
- Chelsea have scored three goals in each of their last two home matches against Leeds (W2).
- Graham Potter’s Blues have failed to score in three of their four home matches in 2023, except for a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace in January.
- Leeds are looking to win consecutive league games for the first time since beating Liverpool and Bournemouth across October-November 2022.
Prediction
‘Wasteful’ just sums up Chelsea because they simply lack any quality end product which was extremely evident at Tottenham last weekend, because they did nearly everything right except for finishing off their chances aside from poor marking of Oliver Skipp and Harry Kane’s goals.
Heaping pressure upon Graham Potter also isn’t really helping because this Chelsea team is a side in transition following a change of ownership, which takes time but patience has to be wearing thin now with several players because something just isn’t clicking up top.
Leeds meanwhile are just as bad as Chelsea because Javi Gracia’s Whites wasted many chances at Fulham in midweek FA Cup action, although they were defensively undone by two stunning shots from quick-moving attacks so I do expect them to try and mount a response here.
Quite frankly, I don’t see a classic contest here because if both teams are as poor in their attacking end product then a goalless draw wouldn’t be shocking by any mile.
Leeds though do at least look like they have more desire to score goals than Chelsea which could well be the difference.
Prediction: Chelsea 0-1 Leeds
Result: Chelsea 1-0 Leeds
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