Chelsea travel to West Yorkshire on Sunday to lock horns with old-time rivals Leeds United in their third Premier League game of the campaign.
The Blues failed to close out a fiery contest against Tottenham Hotspur, with manager Thomas Tuchel receiving a red card for his part in the altercation. The German will still however be on the touchline as it is only a suspended one-match ban, much to the irritation of opposing coach Jessie Marsch, who declared he “hoped” his managerial counterpart would miss Sunday’s fixture.
Chelsea won both games of this fixture last campaign, with May’s 3-0 triumph at Elland Road all but confirming a top four finish for the Blues.
The Hosts – Leeds United
Leeds were on their way to starting a league season with two successive wins, leading 2-0 against Southampton last time out, until a late capitulation eventually saw them share the spoils. Coach Jesse Marsch must therefore address his side’s defensive problems that started before his time at the helm, with the Yorkshire side only managing a mere two clean sheets across their last 27 fixtures.
A return to Elland Road will be especially welcome after Leeds’ 2-1 win over Wolves here to open their Premier League campaign, meaning the Whites now have the opportunity to claim back-to-back home league wins, a feat that eluded them last season.
Patrick Bamford has already revealed, via a Spotify podcast, that he is a doubt for the meeting with his former employers, while a late decision is expected to be made on Liam Cooper. Joe Geldhart, meanwhile, is fit.
Chelsea Team News
Despite the crushing nature of last weekend’s draw against Spurs, it was arguably Chelsea’s best performance since their victory away at Real Madrid in April. Their passing fluidity, pressing efficiency and speed in transition made a very competent Tottenham side look rather ordinary. The refereeing decisions will undoubtedly anger all involved with the club, but there is cautious cause for optimism after a cagey opening day victory at Goodison Park.
Sunday’s contest took its toll, however. It may only be three weeks into the season, but familiar injury problems are already beginning to hit the Blues’s squad – particularly in midfield. The Blues will be without N’Golo Kante and Matteo Kovacic in the middle of the park, as they were for large periods last season, whilst Armando Broja is expected to be out. Christian Pulisic trained and is expected to be available.
It seems farcical that Thomas Tuchel is already having to make undesirable selection decisions regarding who to play next to Jorginho – so a midfielder must be a priority for Chelsea in the closing days of the transfer window. In the meantime, expect one of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, dynamic in last Sunday’s contest, or Connor Gallagher to feature.
Predicted line-up (3-4-3): Mendy; Azpilicueta, Silva, Koulibaly; James, Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, Cucurella; Mount, Sterling, Havertz.
