Chelsea will travel to Elland Road this Sunday to take on Leeds United in their third Premier League fixture of the season.
Venue: Elland Road (Leeds)
Key Statistics
Leeds United have kept just two clean sheets in their last 27 league fixtures.
The hosts have failed to claim victory in their last eight H2Hs (D2, L6), including a 3-0 thumping here last season.
Chelsea were the only Premier League team to never trail at half-time last season.
The Blues have won 12 of their 16 matches away from Stamford Bridge in 2022 (D2, L2).
They managed to score in 14 of those 16 matches, while only conceding more than once on two occasions.
Head to head
In 28 Premier League meetings between both sides, Chelsea have eleven wins while Leeds United have eight wins.
Latest performances in all competitions
Leeds: D-W-W-D-L
Chelsea: D-W-W-W-L
Leeds United
Leeds United will look to continue their unbeaten start to the Premier League season when they welcome Chelsea to Elland Road this Sunday.
The hosts were close to starting a league season with two successive wins for only the fourth time since 2003/04, last weekend as they were leading 2-0 against Southampton until late in the game. But a late capitulation eventually saw them share the spoils (2-2), with Joe Aribo and Kyle Walker-Peters’ goals for the Saints cancelling out the brace from Rodrigo.
For a team that is looking to maintain their place in the top flight for another season, they must sort out their defending, which was a major part of the reason they were in the relegation battle last season.
Under Marcelo Bielsa, the Lilly Whites were one of the most porous sides and they eventually conceded 79 goals in the league last season–the most for any club last season.
To avoid another relegation battle this season, head coach Jesse Marsch must therefore address his side’s defensive problems, with Leeds only managing a mere two clean sheets across their last 27 fixtures.
A return to Elland Road will be especially welcome for them after their 2-1 win over Wolves here to open their Premier League campaign. They now have the opportunity to claim back-to-back league wins at home, a feat that eluded them last season.
Possible Leeds United starting line-up
Illan Meslier; Nissen Kristensen, Diego Llorente, Robin Koch, Pascal Struijk; Tyler Adams, Marc Roca; Brenden Aaronson, Rodrigo, Moreno, Jack Harrison; Daniel James.
Injured: Junior Firpo, Patrick Bamford, Liam Cooper, Joe Grlhardt, Luke Ayling, Stuart Dallas
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Chelsea
After their disappointing draw with Tottenham last weekend, Chelsea travels to Elland Road looking to take home all three points and keep themselves firmly in pursuit of the title.
The Blues played a 2-2 draw with Spurs last weekend, in a match that was marred by tempers flaring on and off the pitch, as well as iffy refereeing decisions.
Thomas Tuchel’s side opened the scoring in the first half through Kalidou Koulibaly (his first goal for the club), but a controversial goal by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg levelled the scoring for Spurs. Reece James then put the Blues ahead for the second time in the game. But a late goal by Harry Kane restored parity and ensured that Antonio Conte’s side went home with a point.
After the game, Tuchel and Conte, who had both been shown yellow cards in the game were both sent off for clashing after the final whistle. And so Chelsea will have to navigate this game without their coach.
Given that they are one of the most in-form teams this year away from home, they will fancy their chances of getting a result without their charismatic coach. The Blues have won 12 of their last 16 matches away from Stamford Bridge in 2022 (D2, L2). They have managed to score in 14 of those 16 matches, while only conceding more than once on two occasions.
Possible Chelsea starting line-up
Edouard Mendy; César Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Kalidou Koulibaly; Reece James, Marcos Alonso, Conor Gallagher, Jorginho; Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling; Kai Havertz.
Injured: Maeo Kovačićc, N’Golo Kante
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Prediction
Leeds 1-3 Chelsea
