Chelsea travel to Elland Road this Saturday lunchtime as they face Leeds United in the Premier League for the first time since December 2003. Thomas Tuchel’s side go from strength to strength after sweeping aside fellow top-four contenders Everton 2-0 on Monday evening at Stamford Bridge.
Following the win against the Toffees, Tuchel set a Premier League record as he is the first manager to keep five clean sheets in his first five home matches.
In contrast, Marcelo Bielsa’s side are on a disappointing run of form, having lost four of their last five in England’s top flight, including their last two against Aston Villa and West Ham without scoring.
But Leeds do not have any relegation fears as they sit nine points clear of the bottom three, while they are only three points behind 10th-placed Arsenal and will still be eyeing a top-half finish.
The reverse fixture back in December at Stamford Bridge saw Chelsea come out 3-1 winners thanks to goals from Olivier Giroud, Kurt Zouma and Christian Pulisic after Patrick Bamford opened the scoring for Leeds early on. This was also the first and only game in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge this season which saw fans return as 2000 were permitted that evening.
Team news
In Friday’s press conference Thomas Tuchel ruled out both Thiago Silva and Tammy Abraham for Saturday’s game through injury. Silva, who returned to the bench on Monday evening against Everton suffered a little setback at the end of yesterday’s training session.
It is also a very similar situation for Abraham who is still suffering from an ankle injury sustained by a challenge from Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles in last month’s home win over the Magpies.
Tuchel also confirmed he has no other injury worries and has had the rarity of a clear midweek to prepare his players for the lunchtime trip to Yorkshire.
Mason Mount and Jorginho look to set to start as they are both suspended for Wednesday’s return leg against Atletico Madrid. Ben Chilwell and Reece James are also set to occupy the wing-back positions to deal with Leeds’s pace while Kai Havertz is set to continue in the false 9 role after a man of the match display against the Toffees.
Marcelo Bielsa has suggested in his pre-match press conference today that Pablo Hernandez and Pascal Struijk won’t play against Chelsea this weekend. The Argentine has also confirmed that Kalvin Phillips and Rodrigo are both fit, with the England midfielder playing the entire game on Monday against West Ham.
When asked about any other injury problems, Bielsa replied, “No, Shackleton is available now. Koch also, Berardi also. The players who are not available are Forshaw, Pablo, and Pascal.” It is a massive boost for Leeds that both Robin Koch and Gaetano Berardi have returned to full fitness.
Thomas Tuchel on Kai Havertz: (Sky Sports)
“The position between a 9 and 10 is pretty much his best position. He has the freedom to drop, to switch positions. I feel very confident with him in high positions, I don’t want to have him behind the ball.”
Match facts
Chelsea can set a new club record of four consecutive wins against Leeds United in all competitions.
The Blues can win both league meetings in a season for the first time since 1989.
Leeds’ solitary victory in the past nine encounters was 2-0 in the Premier League in 2002.
Thomas Tuchel has become only the third Chelsea manager to remain unbeaten in their first 11 games in charge. The other two are Guus Hiddink (11 games between December 2015 and February 2016) and Luiz Felipe Scolari (12 games between August and October 2008).
Leeds are one of only three teams in Europe’s top-five leagues that have both scored and conceded 40 goals this season.
Form (all competitions)
Chelsea – WWDWD
Monday 8th March – Chelsea 2-0 Everton
Thursday 4th March – Liverpool 0-1 Chelsea
Sunday 28th February – Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United
Tuesday 23rd February – Atletico Madrid 0-1 Chelsea
Saturday 20th February – Southampton 1-1 Chelsea
Leeds – LLWLL
Monday 8th March – West Ham United 2-0 Leeds
Saturday 27th February – Leeds 0-1 Aston Villa
Tuesday 23rd February – Leeds 3-0 Southampton
Friday 19th February – Wolves 1-0 Leeds
Saturday 14th February – Arsenal 4-2 Leeds
Predicted line ups
Chelsea – 3-4-2-1:Mendy; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; James, Jorginho, Kante, Chilwell; Mount, Havertz, Werner.
Leeds – 4-1-4-1:Meslier; Ayling, Llorente, Cooper, Dallas; Phillips; Harrison, Roberts, Klich, Raphina; Bamford.
Score prediction
Leeds 0-2 Chelsea
