Prediction: Chelsea to win 2-0
Best Odds: 7/1
Premier League club Chelsea and Championship outfit Leeds United will lock horns with each other in the FA Cup this week. The third-round tie between the Blues and the Whites will be held at Stamford Bridge in London and is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 pm UK time on Wednesday.
Chelsea
Chelsea are one of the biggest and most successful clubs in England, but the Blues have been dire for the best part of two seasons. Once they were winning the Premier League, the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup, but now they are not even going to end up in the top four.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side lost the final of the Carabao Cup to Premier League rivals Liverpool this past weekend. With the Reds having injury problems, it was a great chance for Chelsea to win a major trophy, but they lost the final in extra time.
Chelsea are 11th in the Premier League table at the moment with 35 points from 25 matches. Mauricio Pochettino’s side are as many as 17 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.
Team News:
Chelsea are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Sanchez will be in goal for the Blues and will have Gusto, Gilchrist, Chalobah and Colwill ahead of him in goal. Gallagher and Fernandez will be the two holding midfielders. Madueke, Palmer and Mudryk will be the three attacking midfielders. Sterling will lead the line for the London club.
Leeds United
Leeds United are one of the biggest clubs in England and are having a very good season in the Championship. The West Yorkshire club suffered relegation from the Premier League at the end of last season and are aiming to win back promotion.
Daniel Farke’s side have won their last nine Championship matches and are on a roll. Leeds are second in the league table at the moment with 72 points from 34 matches, six points behind leaders Leicester City and level on points with third-placed Ipswich Town.
Leeds will head into the FA Cup tie against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in London on the back of a 3-1 victory over Leicester City at Elland Road in the Championship. It came after a 2-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle on the road in the league and followed a 4-0 victory over Swansea City away from home in the Championship.
Team News:
Leeds United are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Chelsea. Meslier will be in goal for the Championship club. Roberts, Ampadu, Cooper and Firpo will be the four defenders. Gruev and Kamara will be the two holding midfielders. Gnonto, Gray and Anthony will be the three attacking midfielders. Piroe will lead the line for the Whites.
Key Factors to Consider
- This will be the first FA Cup tie between Chelsea and Leeds United since the 1970 final, which the London club won after a replay.
- Leeds United have lost their past six away games against Chelsea, all in the Premier League.
- Leeds United are looking to reach the FA Cup quarter-final for the first time since the 2002-03 season.
- Enzo Fernandez scored in both of Chelsea’s FA Cup wins this season – netting in the third round against Preston and fourth-round replay at Aston Villa.
- Leeds United have scored at least three goals in four of their past six FA Cup matches.
Conclusion
Chelsea are having a torrid season and lost to Premier League rivals Liverpool in the final of the Carabao Cup this past weekend. Leeds United are doing extremely well in the Championship and could win promotion to the Premier League. However, the Blues have the better team and are at home. It should be a win for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Prediction: Chelsea to win 2-0
Best Odds: 7/1
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