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Joe Mewis

Marcelo Bielsa hit by fresh absentee as he confirms Leeds United's starting line-up vs Chelsea

Leeds United skipper Liam Cooper misses out of Marcelo Bielsa's starting XI to face Chelsea this afternoon.

The defender is absent from the matchday squad which means Pascal Struijk returns from injury earlier than expected and replaces the Scotland international in one of three changes to the side that lost to West Ham on Monday night.

Gjanni Alioski and Jack Harrison also return to the side in place of Mateusz Klich and Helder Costa as Leeds look to snap a two-match losing streak against Thomas Tuchel's in-form side in today's early Premier League kick-off.

Illan Meslier continues in goal with a back-four of Luke Ayling, Struijk, Diego Llorente and Alioski.

Kalvin Phillips will operate in his usual role on front of the defence, with Stuart Dallas replacing Klich in middle, with Roberts continuing in front of them.

What did Bielsa learn last time out against Chelsea?

Harrison returns to join Raphinha in the wide positions, while former Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford leads the line for Bielsa's side.

Robin Koch returns to the bench after three months out following knee surgery, while Kiko Casilla also returns to the matchday squad. Jamie Shackleton is also among the substitutes after he missed the last three matches.

Leeds have lost their last two matches and are up against an in-form Blues side, who are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League matches. A win for the Whites would be their first over Chelsea for almost 19 years.

Bielsa's side begin the day 11th in the table, 15 points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

Leeds United: Meslier; Ayling, Struijk, Llorente, Alioski; Phillips; Raphinha, Dallas, Roberts, Harrison; Bamford

Subs: Casilla, Koch, Berardi, Shackleton, Klich, Costa, Jenkins, Poveda, Rodrigo

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