England Premier League
Wednesday 11th May 2022
Kick off at 7:30pm BST
Venue: Elland Road
Match Preview:
When you’re facing the prospect of being relegated the last team you want to face is the current European and World club club champions in Chelsea but the Blues have not been at their best lately so could this be the best time to play them?
Leeds are in 18th place and have 34 points the same as Burnley in 17th but goal difference has let the club down and currently they are going down. Leeds have also had a tough set of fixtures right at the wrong time for them and have lost their last two games against Manchester City and Arsenal. The City game ended in a woeful 4-0 loss at home but at Arsenal Leeds gave some fight but went down 2-1 and with ten men. Losing here wouldn’t be the end of the world but one would feel that Jesse Marsch’s team would even look at a draw as being highly significant as they try to stay up. Home form has been a let down for the club though with just 4 wins so far and just one win in their last five games.
Chelsea’s 3rd place spot is under genuine threat now from Arsenal and they only have a 1 point advantage over the Gunners- a month ago finishing 3rd looked like a shoe in for them. However it’s been 3 games without a win for Thomas Tuchel’s side following draws against Manchester United and Wolves at the weekend which finished 2-2 at home. In between those games the club lost 1-0 at Everton.
Normally Chelsea are very strong at home but in fact they have a better away recod this season with 37 points earned on the road compared to 30 at home. However there have been no wins in their last two away games although just before that Chelsea clicked and beat Southampton 6-0 and that will be the worry for this Leeds side that the Blues are able to do that.
Team News:
Leeds: Luke Ayling is out for the rest of the season after his red card v Arsenal and he has a 3 game suspension. Patrick Bamford’s supposed return from injury keeps getting delayed, he has a lack of match fitness and will be assessed ahead of this game though. Liam Cooper will also be assessed with his knee injury. Stuart Dallas, Adam Forshaw and Tyler Roberts are all out for the season.
Chelsea: Jorginho is touch and go for this game with a knock as is N’Golo Kante are both remain doubts. Callum Hudson-Odoi could well miss the rest of the season now with his hamstring.
Leeds vs Chelsea Head to Head:
Last season the teams drew 0-0 in this fixture.
Earlier in the season in the reverse fixture Chelsea won 3-2.
It’s been 8 meetings since Leeds beat Chelsea going back to 2002.
Leeds vs Chelsea Prediction:
Leeds will have to fight for everything because technically on the pitch they can’t compete with Chelsea but perhaps Jesse Marsh’s team have more of a chance than most will believe. Chelsea have looked off the ball in recent weeks and off the pitch news with the clubs ownership up in the air will start to affect the team after a while, that’s only natural. Could we also have a scenario where Tuchel will be having doubts over his contract at the club? It all leads to the boat not been stable. At the same time in a few days Chelsea will compete in the FA Cup final against Liverpool and that is the much more important game for the club at this moment. However there is the small threat of not even finishing in the top 4 this season and that would spell a real disaster for the club not to be participating in the Champions League next season- there is much to ponder.
As for Leeds they continue to have key injuries and someone like Luke Ayling has done no favours at all for his side, his suspension for being sent off means that he will miss the rest of the season. This is an extremely difficult game for the home side, and despite the factors which are in Leeds favour, we still think Chelsea are likely to edge this one.
Leeds vs Chelsea Betting Tips:
Chelsea to beat Leeds at 1.65
Anytime goalscorer: Romelu Lukaku at 2.50
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