2026-27 Carabao Cup: Third Round – Chelsea vs Leeds

Chelsea face Leeds United in the third round of the 2026-27 Carabao Cup. 

Victory would see Chelsea advance to the fourth round for the 15th time in 16 seasons, whilst Leeds look to move beyond this stage for the first time since the 2021-22 season.

 

Team News

Moises Caicedo and Marco Palestra are unlikely to be involved for Chelsea as they continue to recover from knocks, although Caicedo is the more likely to make the bench after he wasn’t risked in their 2-1 Premier League loss at Arsenal.

Jordan Henderson is still sidelined with a wrist injury.

Leeds have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 1-1 draw at Brighton in the Premier League.

Joe Rodon (hamstring), Mateo Joseph (ACL) and Illa Gruev (knee) remain absent.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Chelsea host Leeds at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday 9 September at 8pm BST, live on Sky Sports Main Event in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Chelsea are unbeaten in four meetings against Leeds across three previous League Cup ties (W3, D1), having drawn 1-1 in the first leg then won the second leg 2-0 in their two-legged third-round tie in 1969-70 season then won 2-0 and 5-1 in November 2001 and December 2012 respectively.
• Leeds lost 2-0 in their only League Cup visit to Stamford Bridge in October 1969 (L1).
• Excluding penalties, Chelsea have lost just one of their last six League Cup ties at home against fellow top-flight opposition (W2, D3, L1).
• Excluding penalties, Leeds have won just one of their last five away ties against top-flight opposition (W1, D1, L3).

 

Prediction

Despite having been narrowly outplayed at Arsenal with two small defensive errors ruthlessly punished, Chelsea will definitely see rotation here but they should have the squad depth still to be favourites for the win if they play with the same intensity as they did in North London.

Leeds meanwhile will have been pleased to at least ended their Premier League away bogey against Brighton at the AMEX Stadium on Saturday with a fair point, although they will surely be disappointed to have not extended their lead in periods when on top after their early opening goal.

Although I personally expect Leeds to give this a good go, I do think that Chelsea will be too strong such is the squad depth and quality at Xabi Alonso’s disposal.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Leeds