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David Byrom

Pundits have their say on outcome of Leeds United's 'cracking' trip to Chelsea

Leeds United take on Chelsea on Saturday in what looks set to be a mouth-watering clash.

The Whites have won the plaudits for their style in the Premier League this season, whilst big-spending Chelsea could well be in with a shout of a title challenge.

Here is how the pundits think the game will go.

Mark Lawrenson, BBC

Whenever I see this fixture I think about the tempestuous 1970 FA Cup final between the teams, which I went to. Leeds are still up and at you, but in a different way.

Marcelo Bielsa's side started the season well, but have had a mixed recent run of results which saw them ship four goals in two successive games. I think the quickness of the players among some Premier League sides have caused them problems.

What did Bielsa say about Lampard in his Press Conference?

The soft centre in this team is defensively.

The front players for Chelsea will be too good for Leeds, and manager Frank Lampard also has to decide about what to do with his striker Olivier Giroud after he scored four against Sevilla.

At the back the Blues are conceding fewer. Chelsea's new keeper Edouard Mendy is doing well and Thiago Silva has settled at the back and is helping fellow centre-back Kurt Zouma. At the moment I think Chelsea have a good chance of a top-four finish.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Leeds United

Michael Owen, Bet Victor

This could be a cracker. Leeds are so much better when they’re playing against teams that come at them. You can see that sides are starting to realise this and giving them some respect. Everton tried it for periods last week, albeit Leeds caught them in the end.

The thing is with Chelsea, they can only play one way. They’ll attack Leeds, which should play into the visitors’ hands. However, although I think Bielsa’s men will get some joy on the counter, I reckon Chelsea will have just enough quality to see them take the points.

Prediction: Chelsea to win and both teams to score

Vinnie Jones, Easy Odds

Two of my old teams going head-to-head - and two of the best footballing teams in the Premier League. Maybe the best two.

I told you Leeds would be a force this year, that they’d surprise a lot of people and Bielsa and the boys have done me proud.

They played great against Everton and beat them - just like I said they would!

The stats were ridiculous in terms of the amount of attacks Leeds had - the shots were raining down on Pickford in the Everton goal.

Leeds are creating chances and are a joy to watch - but now they’re up against Frank and his much-improved team. These guys are serious contenders, believe me.

The Blues outplayed Spurs last week - and, given Spurs are top of the table, that’ll give Lamps a real boost going forward.

Seeing Jose park the bus at the Bridge shows how much respect he has for Chelsea - even if he didn’t say it.

So back to Chelsea and Leeds - how will that go? Well, I’m calling it a draw - but a high-scoring one at that.

Both teams will carve out chances and keep both Mendy and Meslier busy throughout. I’m going 2-2, or even 3-3.

Either way, it’s unlikely to be like the battles Chelsea and Leeds had during the 70s! They weren’t for the faint-hearted and neither have their clashes since been.

Prediction: Chelsea 2 Leeds United 2

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