Chelsea v Leeds: The Blues will be looking to recover from an unexpected crisis last weekend, when they host Marcelo Bielsa & Partners, at Stamford Bridge on Saturday (watch live at 10am ET, on Peacock Premium).
Chelsea vs Leeds Stream Live
The Blues need to get back on track after some poor defensive displays, while Leeds scrap the wrong end of the table as injuries hit them hard.
There is no love lost between Chelsea and Leeds historically, and this will be an intense tactical battle between Thomas Tuchel and Marcelo Bielsa on the sidelines, not to mention the players on the pitch.
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Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Leeds on Saturday with team news, odds, broadcast link and more.
Chelsea vs Leeds, live analysis! — By Joe Prince Wright at Stamford Bridge
half time: What an open and entertaining game here at Chelsea. Leeds needed the halftime whistle to go off, with Chelsea in front after falling behind. 1-1. The game has begun!
save! At the end of the first half, Chelsea almost took the lead, playing Kai Havertz but Ilan Mesler made a save with his feet. Chelsea has finally started.
GOALLLL! Mt Mason equals!
Marcos Alonso brilliantly grabs the ball from Stewart Dallas, then lunges forward and crosses Mount for Mount who slams the ball into the net at the near post.
Meslier with an unnecessary clever pass from behind to prepare the opportunity. #CFC 1-1 #LUFC # chile
– Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) December 11, 2021
Chelsea’s players looked annoyed after the Leeds goal, and Reece James started an intervention that could have earned him more than a yellow card. Foil is in the air here at Stamford Bridge.
GOALLLL! Leeds is advancing. Marcos Alonso knocked out Daniel James with a ridiculous tackle in the penalty area and Ravenha calmly took the penalty. A quick VAR scan confirmed the decision on the field. Indeed, Leeds deserves the lead.
Ravenha almost grabbed Mendy with a direct free kick from the near post, but the Chelsea goalkeeper made a good save.
Getting started in the rain here in London (I know, I was shocked it was raining here too…) as Leeds approached through Raphinha, while Timo Werner caused a lot of problems for Luke Ayling. Not much opportunities yet, though.
Hello from West London! Thank you for joining me on this lovely early December afternoon in the capital of England. So, what will we see today from Chelsea?
Lots of goals in their last games, lots of defensive errors too which is very different from Thomas Tuchel. Marcelo Bielsa is missing some key players, but there is a whiff of annoyance in the air here…
👋🔵⚪️ Hello and welcome to Stamford Bridge!
Great atmosphere here today in West London for the Chelsea v Leeds game.
I’ll get a live analysis here ➡️ https://t.co/XcXu6zbItj
Here are my thoughts before #CFC Fifth #LUFC It’s 10 a.m. Eastern time # chile pic.twitter.com/w8Sldw9zZn
– Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) December 11, 2021
Chelsea team news, injuries, squad (injury report)
Out: N’Golo Kante (knee), Ben Chilwell (knee), Mateo Kovacic (hamstring), Trevoh Chalobah (hamstring)
The team paper is from here at Stamford Bridge.
Havertz starts at the top. Lukaku and #USMNTPulisic on the bench. Jorginho is fit enough to start #CFC. #LUFC Without Patrick Bamford, Calvin Phillips. # chile pic.twitter.com/5nhpJ2JZNU
– Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) December 11, 2021
Leeds team news, injuries, lineup
Elimination: Robin Koch (illness), Patrick Bamford (ankle), Calvin Phillips (thigh), Rodrygo (heel), Liam Cooper (hamstring), Pascal Struic (hip)
preview
The 3-2 defeat to West Ham United came as a bit of a surprise considering that Chelsea have been undefeated in their last eight Premier League games, although they have not come out of nowhere completely after the disappointing 1-1 draws against Burnley and Manchester United. With seven points declining in its last five games, Chelsea’s three-point lead at the top of the Premier League table disappeared, as they found themselves in third place, two points behind Manchester City and one point behind Liverpool, heading into the 16th round. Especially the clean sheet. It was hard to come by during the downturn, with only one in five games played compared to seven in the first 10.
As for Leeds, things are starting to turn after six games without a win at the start of the season, but is it happening fast enough for Bielsa to avoid serious scrutiny and questions about his continued work? Although they have lost only one of their last seven Premier League matches, they have won only two in the same period. On top of that, the performances were scattered across the board, from the terrible defense and spirited attack, to the risk-averse defense and barely a peep forward. Leeds is a team with no identity at the moment, and a full lineup of key first-choice players.
Odds and Ends (full odds offered by our partner, PointsBet)
Chelsea (-400) | Leeds (+1000) | Draw (+450)
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Prediction – Chelsea vs Leeds
The opening 15 minutes will reveal a lot. Leeds are likely to quickly slip out of the starting gate, while Chelsea seek to dominate through fast possession and pressing. An advantage for Chelsea, because that’s exactly where they want Leeds. Chelsea 2-0 Leeds.
How to watch Chelsea Leeds match, live stream and start time
Kick-off: 10 a.m. Saturday
Online: Broadcasting via Peacock Premium