Chelsea kick off a run of three consecutive away matches this evening as they visit Elland Road to face Leeds in the Premier League. The Blues have a good thing going at the moment after they beat Barcelona in the Champions League and overcame a man disadvantage to draw with Arsenal in their last two outings. So promising is the form that even Enzo Maresca has suggested his side deserve to be in the title conversation - but he will not commit to such statements until the new year.
This trip to Leeds is Chelsea’s first outing of what will likely prove to be a pivotal run of December fixtures, which will also see them face Bournemouth, Everton and Newcastle in the league as they look to catch the Gunners in the standings. The Blues can get the ball rolling on that mission tonight as they square up to their long-time rivals Leeds.
Tonight’s hosts are in the midst of a dismal run, with four losses on the spin leaving manager Daniel Farke under considerable pressure. Can they stop the rot in front of the home support here? Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Dom Smith at Elland Road.
Leeds vs Chelsea latest news
- Kick-off: 8.15pm GMT, Elland Road
- How to watch: Sky Sports
- Chelsea XI: No Palmer
- Leeds XI
- Standard Sport prediction
A Chelsea reunion
19:13 , Arthur FerridgeFormer Chelsea player Ethan Ampadu gets the nod for Leeds.
He spent six years with the Blues between 2017 and 2013, serving a handful of loan spells around Europe in that time.
The Wales international did, however, pick up both FA Cup and Europa League winners’ medals in his stay at Stamford Bridge.
Dom Smith at Elland Road
19:07 , Arthur FerridgePlenty of change in the Chelsea line-up, including Badiashile into the team and Palmer again starting on the bench so not making his return from the start. My understanding is that the absence Wesley Fofana is the same as against Nottingham Forest and Burnley: managing minutes. No injury.
LEEDS CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS
19:02 , Arthur FerridgeAnd here are your hosts.
Leeds starting XI: Perri, Bogle, Gudmundsson, Rodon, Bijol, Struijk, Ampadu, Tanaka, Stach, Nmecha, Calvert-Lewin
Subs: Darlow, Justin, Bornauw, Gruev, Harrison, Aaronson, Gnonto, Okafor, Piroe
CHELSEA CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS
19:00 , Arthur FerridgeEnzo Maresca names his side to face Leeds.
Chelsea starting XI: Sanchez; Chalobah, Tosin, Badiashile, Cucurella; Andrey Santos, Enzo; Estevao, Joao Pedro, Gittens; Delap
Subs: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Gusto, James, Hato, Neto, Garnacho, Palmer, Guiu
Dom Smith's predicted Chelsea XI
18:52 , Arthur FerridgeHere’s how Standard Sport’s Dom Smith reckons the Blues will line up at Elland Road tonight.
We will find out how good that prediction is on the hour...
Chelsea predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Santos, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Delap
The Chelsea squad
18:42 , Arthur FerridgeTwo big conundrums for Chelsea tonight.
The first is how to deal with Moises Caicedo’s suspension. The Blues have struggled massively without him at times this season, but now face three Premier League games without his services.
Odds are Enzo Fernandez will drop in, with Andrey Santos joining him at the base of midfield. Let’s see how they fare...
The second question which needs answering is that of how big a role Cole Palmer can play tonight. We know he is fit to start, but will he?
What kit are Chelsea wearing tonight?
18:35 , Arthur FerridgeWhile we’re reminiscing on old Chelsea kits, it would be worth pointing out that the Blues will don their retro third strip tonight - last seen when they visited West Ham and came away with a 5-1 win.
A similar result tonight would do nicely for Enzo Maresca.
Last time out
18:27 , Arthur FerridgeChelsea recorded a narrow 3-2 win when they last faced Leeds in an FA Cup clash back in February 2024.
Conor Gallagher was the hero of the day, firing home in the 92nd minute to secure the Blues’ progression.
Who else was on the scoresheet for Chelsea that day, you ask? None other than Nicolas Jackson and Mykhailo Mudryk. Remember him?
Raheem Sterling started too... remember him?
Mateo Joseph bagged a brace for Leeds to keep the Blues honest. The 22-year-old now plies his trade on loan at Mallorca, though, so will not be present at Elland Road tonight.
How smart was this Chelsea strip, by the way?
Daniel Farke skating on thin ice
18:20 , Arthur FerridgeResult dependent, tonight’s match may well be the last of the Daniel Farke era.
According to a report from Sky Sports, Farke could face some awkward conversations with the board if four consecutive losses becomes five tonight.
Leeds’ higher ups are understandably said to be concerned by the club’s poor form, though they are buoyed somewhat by the side’s performance in the weekend’s 3-2 loss to City.
But eye test aside, Leeds still sit in the relegation zone. Farke needs a good result tonight.
Leeds vs Chelsea head to head
18:12 , Arthur FerridgeLeeds produced a 5-0 drubbing when they first faced Chelsea back in 1927, but recent results have been more favourable for the Londoners, who have been beaten by the Whites only once since 2003.
Leeds wins: 40
Chelsea wins: 39
Draws: 30
Standard Sport prediction
18:05 , Arthur FerridgeLeeds are in the midst of a grim run and will face another tough test here.
Recent defeats to Brighton, Nottingham Forest, and Aston Villa left Leeds reeling, but it remains to be seen how they will react to Foden’s suckerpunch winner from Saturday.
Chelsea may not be quite at full bore as they look to work around Caicedo’s suspension, but Andrey Santos has already proven himself a perfectly capable deputy.
After taking the fight to Arsenal and Barcelona in recent outings, this should prove a routine trip for Maresca’s men.
Chelsea to win 2-0
Leeds early team news: Injuries Stach-ing up
18:00 , Arthur FerridgeExcuse the pun.
Leeds are without a handful of first-team players, with Sean Longstaff already ruled out until the new year. He is joined in the physio’s room by Sebastiaan Bornauw and Daniel James.
Anton Stach is due back, though, having recovered from a concussion, as is James Justin, who has shaken off a knock picked up against Man City.
Chelsea early team news: Caicedo suspended but Palmer returns
17:56 , Arthur FerridgeCole Palmer is pushing to make a return to Chelsea’s starting line-up after he was named to the matchday squad for the Arsenal draw but did not appear.
A midfield shuffle is likely in order for the Blues with Caicedo suspended. Andrey Santos is expected to slot in at the base of midfield, though Maresca has also suggested that natural centre-back Josh Acheampong could also deputise for the Ecuadorian.
Reece James is not expected to start after he played the full 90 minutes against Arsenal - Maresca is continuing to manage his minutes.
Romeo Lavia remains sidelined, as does Dario Essugo, who returned to training last week but has since suffered a setback. Levi Colwill is unavailable as he recovers from ACL surgery.
How to watch Leeds vs Chelsea
17:51 , Arthur FerridgeTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting at 6.30pm GMT ahead of an 8.15pm kick-off.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Dom Smith at the ground.
Free highlights: The Sky Sports app and YouTube channel will show highlights shortly after full-time, with Match of the Day broadcasting on BBC One at 10.40pm.
Good evening
17:44 , Arthur FerridgeHello, and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Leeds vs Chelsea in the Premier League!
A fair bit on the line for both sides tonight. Chelsea are out to put the pressure on league leaders Arsenal, while Daniel Farke could have some awkward questions to answer if his Leeds lose for the fifth time in as many matches.
Follow along right here for all you need to know about tonight’s match, including team news as soon as we have it and expert insight and analysis from Dom Smith at Elland Road.
Kick-off tonight is at 8.15pm GMT.
