Graham Potter badly needs a win as Chelsea prepare to face old rivals Leeds in the Premier League today.
The embattled Blues boss is under enormous pressure after a 2-0 London derby defeat at Tottenham continued their wretched run of form that now stands at just two wins from 15 matches and has left them sitting 10th and a whopping 14 points adrift of the top four.
Chelsea are actually closer to the relegation zone (10 points) than Champions League qualification as things stand as a nightmare season continues, despite their significant investment in back-to-back transfer windows.
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With the second leg of their crucial Champions League last-16 tie against Borussia Dortmund, who lead 1-0, looming hot on the feels of this game on Tuesday, it has the feeling of make-or-break time for Potter despite him retaining the support of the club’s ownership.
How old rivals Leeds would love to compound Chelsea’s misery and boost their own top-flight survival prospects in the process.
The Whites beat fellow strugglers Southampton 1-0 in a key six-pointer in new manager Javi Gracia’s first game in charge at Elland Road last weekend - their first league win since November 5 lifting them out of the relegation zone and up to 17th, though the gap stands at just one point.
The league is now Leeds’ sole focus after their FA Cup journey was ended by a 2-0 loss away at high-flying Fulham in the fifth round on Tuesday night.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Chelsea vs Leeds is scheduled for a 3pm GMT kick-off today on Saturday March 4, 2023.
The match will take place at Stamford Bridge in west London.
Where to watch Chelsea vs Leeds
TV channel: Today’s game will not be televised live in the UK due to ongoing 3pm blackout restrictions in English football. However, highlights are available on Match of the Day from 10:20pm tonight on BBC One.
Live stream: Fans can also catch those highlights online via the BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer.
Live blog: You can follow all the action today via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Nizaar Kinsella at the Bridge.
Chelsea vs Leeds team news
Chelsea are set to be boosted by the return of Mateo Kovacic, who is back in training after missing the Spurs derby through illness.
N’Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic are also nearing returns having continued to train with the first team at Cobham this week.
However, Thiago Silva will miss at least the next six weeks with knee ligament damage, with Cesar Azpilicueta, Edouard Mendy and Armando Broja also sidelined along with Mason Mount and Reece James.
Leeds remain without a host of players including Rodrigo, Adam Forshaw and Stuart Dallas, meanwhile.
Pascal Struijk has been in the concussion protocol, while Colombian winger Luis Sinisterra is stepping up his return from a hamstring issue. Liam Cooper also faces a late fitness test.
Chelsea vs Leeds prediction
Regardless of that apparent ongoing support from the Chelsea hierachy, Potter badly needs to start putting some positive results together... and fast.
A failure to beat Leeds at home coupled with an exit from the Champions League in midweek would surely see the former Brighton boss slip further into major trouble.
Chelsea have plenty of possession and nifty passing under Potter, they just cannot seem to convert it into goals as they still lack a figurehead up top despite their eye-watering transfer spend.
Leeds will take great belief from fellow relegation battlers Southampton coming and winning here a fortnight ago, though they have won just once on the road all season - their 2-1 upset of Liverpool at Anfield in October.
Surely Chelsea’s luck has to turn at some stage? It won’t be pretty, but I think they will just about grind out a win here to give a confidence boost for Potter before the vital visit of Dortmund in midweek.
Chelsea to win, 1-0.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Chelsea were brushed aside 3-0 on a dismal day at Elland Road under Potter’s predecessor Thomas Tuchel back in August, with Brenden Aaronson, Rodrigo and Jack Harrison all on the scoresheet.
That was Leeds’ only win over the Blues since 2002, with Chelsea having won six of the other meetings since then - including a 3-2 thriller at the Bridge last season.
Chelsea wins: 37
Leeds wins: 40
Draws: 30
Chelsea vs Leeds match odds
Chelsea to win: 8/13
Leeds to win: 9/2
Draw: 3/1
