An old-age rivalry is rekindled on Wednesday night as Chelsea host Leeds United in the FA Cup fifth round.
The fixture has taken on even greater significance for Mauricio Pochettino following Sunday’s humbling defeat Carabao Cup final to a Melwood-tinged Liverpool side. Virgil van Dijk’s late extra-time header crushed the Blues, who strangely decided to play for penalties rather than take the game to their injury-stricken opponents.
While these two sides grew familiar with one another following Leeds’ return to the Premier League in 2020, this is their first FA Cup meeting since the famous 1970 final. Leeds, having dropped down to the Championship, have won 12 of 14 games in 2024 and are in a buoyant mood after beating league-leaders Leicester City 3-1 on Friday night.
The visitors’ ebullience will lighten up an undoubtedly sombre Stamford Bridge in the wake of Sunday’s defeat.
Here’s 90min’s preview of Wednesday night’s FA Cup fifth round tie.
Chelsea vs Leeds H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (all competitions)
|
Chelsea |
Leeds |
|---|---|
|
Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool – 25/02/24 |
Leeds 3-1 Leicester – 23/02/24 |
|
Man City 1-1 Chelsea – 17/02/24 |
Plymouth Argyle 0-2 Leeds – 17/02/24 |
|
Crystal Palace 1-3 Chelsea – 12/02/24 |
Swansea 0-4 Leeds – 13/02/24 |
|
Aston Villa 1-3 Chelsea – 07/02/24 |
Leeds 3-0 Rotherham – 10/02/24 |
|
Chelsea 2-4 Wolves – 02/02/24 |
Plymouth Argyle 1-4 Leeds – 06/02/24 |
|
Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
ITV 4, ITVX |
|
United States |
ESPN+ |
|
Canada |
Sportsnet Now Plus |
Chelsea are still without a long list of players for Wednesday’s cup tie, but Pochettino will surely make several changes from Sunday’s XI.
Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, Carney Chukwuemeka, and Lesley Ugochukwu are all out for the hosts, as is Christopher Nkunku, who is set for another few weeks on the sidelines with a mystery injury. Marc Cucurella is close to a return, while Thiago Silva and Benoit Badiashile are recent additions to the treatment table.
Youngster Alfie Gilchrist could make another start in the cup.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Leeds (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gilchrist, Silva, Colwill, Chilwell; Caicedo, Gallagher; Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson.
Swiss Army knife Stuart Dallas has been out for the long haul with a hip injury. The Northern Irishman is expected to return in the coming weeks, however.
Daniel Farke is also without Sam Byrma, Pascal Struijk, and back-up goalkeeper Karl Darlow, but Connor…
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