Chelsea return to FA Cup action on Wednesday night as they take on Leeds United at Stamford Bridge for an exciting fifth round match.
The Blues suffered a gut-wrenching Carabao Cup final defeat against Liverpool on Sunday, while the Whites saw off Leicester City 3-1 in their latest Championship encounter.
Match Preview
Chelsea have had an underwhelming 2023-24 campaign as they are languishing in 11th position in the Premier League.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino had a brilliant opportunity to salvage their season by beating Jurgen Klopp’s team in the EFL Cup final.
But the Argentine boss failed to guide his side to victory against an under-strength Liverpool side.
Raheem Sterling put the ball into the back of the net in the opening half but it was chalked off for offside.
Both sides went close to breaking the deadlock on several occasions but it was late in the extra-time when Virgil van Dijk popped up with the winning goal.
Pochettino’s men will now seek redemption in the FA Cup where they will face off with Leeds United at Stamford Bridge.
The Whites have been enjoying an excellent run of form at the moment.
Their exciting 3-1 success over Leicester City last week was their sixth consecutive victory across all competitions, with the result leaving them just six points behind the league leaders.
The Yorkshire outfit were trailing 1-0 until late in the second-half after Wout Faes’ opening goal on 15 minutes.
But Connor Roberts scored the equaliser on 80 minutes before Archie Gray and Patrick Bamford added goals to register an impressive 3-1 win.
Daniel Farke’s men now turn their attention to the FA Cup, a competition they have won only once in 1972.
The Whites beat Peterborough United and Plymouth Argyle in the previous two rounds earlier this season, and now they will look for a big victory against Liverpool on Wednesday.
Team News
Thiago Silva missed Sunday’s match against Liverpool in the EFL Cup final. It is uncertain whether the Brazilian will be fit enough to be involved on Wednesday, but Wesley Fofana, Carney Chukwuemeka, Benoit Badiashile and Reece James are confirmed absentees.
As for Leeds United, Karl Darlow, Stuart Dallas and Pascal Strujik all remain unavailable as they are recovering from injuries. But Sam Byram has returned to training and could be involved in the FA Cup match.
Chelsea vs Leeds United potential line-ups
Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto, Gilchrist, Chalobah, Colwill; Gallagher, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk; Sterling
Leeds United: Meslier; Roberts, Ampadu, Cooper, Firpo; Gruev, Kamara; Gnonto, Gray, Anthony; Piroe
How to Watch?
Football fans can watch all the FA Cup fixtures through streaming sites.
Chelsea vs Leeds United prediction
Chelsea have some of the world’s best players in their ranks, but the confidence in their camp is likely to be low following their EFL Cup final loss.
The Blues will have home advantage on Wednesday but we are backing Leeds to prevail given their impressive run of form in recent weeks.
Chelsea 1-2 Leeds United
