Chelsea vs Leeds United

February 28, 2024

SpookyExpress previews Wednesday's FA Cup match between Chelsea and Leeds United, including betting prediction, team news and possible starting lineups.

Chelsea are eager to bounce back from their disappointing defeat in the Carabao Cup final, when the Blues host Leeds United in the FA Cup fifth-round on Wednesday evening.

The Blues won the last meeting between the sides - 1-0 in a Premier League match at Stamford Bridge last March. Wesley Fofana scored the only goal for the West London side in the 53^rd minute.

Leeds United are yet to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the 21^st century. The Blues have won their last six home matches with the Whites (all of which in the Premier League) - since a 1-0 loss in November 2000.

Interestingly, the two clubs haven’t met in the FA Cup since the final way back in April 1970, when Chelsea lifted the trophy for the first time after bettering the Yorkshire side following a replay. A 2-2 draw at Wembley last followed by a 2-1 victory for Chelsea at Old Trafford.

Chelsea Betting Preview (-200 at Everygame)

The Blues are forced to endure another largely inconsistent Premier League campaign as they currently sit 11^th in the Premier League table. They are two points behind Wolves in ninth, also with a game in hand.

Chelsea have lost yet another domestic cup final - sixth in a row - as they have to dust themselves down from Sunday’s exhausting League Cup final where they conceded late in extra-time to lose in agonizing fashion against Liverpool.

They are now bidding to end that rotten streak in the FA Cup, in May, but first they need to see off Leeds United in this fifth-round encounter.

Mauricio Pochettino faced the media on Tuesday afternoon at Cobham ahead of Chelsea's FA Cup fifth round tie with Leeds United and The Argentine confirmed that French forward Christopher Nkunku sustained an injury and could be sidelined for a couple of weeks

Moreover, Pochettino remains without a number of injured players including Benoît Badiashile, Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella, Reece James, Romeo Lavia, Lesley Ugochukwu and Carney Chukwuemeka, while veteran Thiago Silva will be assessed.

Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, Trevoh Chalobah and Noni Madueke might rotate into the side following Sunday's sapping Carabao Cup final.

Leeds United Betting Preview (+475 at Everygame)

The Whites travel to the capital on the back of a massive 3-1 comeback win (their ninth consecutive in the league) over Championship leaders Leicester City at Elland Road on Friday night, courtesy of late goals from Connor Roberts, Archie Gray and Patrick Bamford.

Remarkably, Leeds are on a 12-game unbeaten streak in all competitions - since a 1-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion in the Championship on 29 December.

Thus, Leeds United sit 2^nd in the Championship, level on points with promotion rivals Ipswich Town in third, and six points behind Leicester City.

As well as scoring for fun, Leeds have also prided themselves on a solid defensive structure over the past two months. Daniel Farke's side boast the best defense in the Championship, conceding just 27 goals in 34 games.

Wout Faes' header for Leicester City on Friday was just the fourth goal that they have conceded during their 12-game unbeaten run.

Summer signing Ilia Gruev, who arrived from Bundesliga side Werder Bremen, was working to adapt to the completely different environment in England and struggled for first-team football in the first part of the season but the Bulgarian midfielder established himself as an important figure over the past couple of weeks.

Daniel Farke could make small changes to his starting XI as Jaidon Anthony is tipped to start on the left wing, while centre-back Liam Cooper, right-back Connor Roberts and centre-forward Patrick Bamford are also pushing for starts.

Meanwhile, backup goalkeeper Karl Darlow as well as the likes of Pascal Struijk, Sam Byram and Stuart Dallas are all sidelined for Leeds United.

Possible Starting Lineups of Chelsea and Leeds United

Chelsea: Robert Sanchez - Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Ben Chilwell - Conor Gallagher, Enzo Fernandez - Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Raheem Sterling - Nicolas Jackson. (4-2-3-1)

Leeds United: Illan Meslier - Junior Firpo, Liam Cooper, Ethan Ampadu, Connor Roberts - Glen Kamara, Ilia Gruev - Jaidon Anthony, Georginio Rutter, Wilfried Gnonto - Patrick Bamford. (4-2-3-1)

Spooky Express Betting Prediction

An exhausted (both physically and mentally) and confidence-depleted Chelsea may have their work cut out for them as a result, but Mauricio Pochettino still has a few attacking options for change up front.

Leeds United travel with sky-high confidence and will surely be backing themselves to pull off an upset. Yet, we still expect the Blues to restore a small sense of pride as they are favorites to reach the quarter-finals.

Spooky Express Free Play: Outcome And Totals - 1X and Over 2.5 Goals -118 at Everygame for 6/10 Units

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