Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Jake Stokes

Paul Merson and Chris Sutton agree on prediction as Chelsea to end unbeaten Leeds United streak

Paul Merson and Chris Sutton have agreed that Chelsea will draw the curtains on Leeds United's unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign. Jesse Marsch is set to welcome Thomas Tuchel to Elland Road, with either side entering the ring with four points to their name.

The Blues kicked off the new season with a 1-0 win over Everton despite a somewhat unconvincing performance, before welcoming Tottenham Hotspur to Stamford Bridge, where an impressive display was dampened by a controversial stoppage-time equaliser. Chelsea will be looking to translate a good performance into three points, even with a handful of star names out injured.

Leeds have enjoyed some promising signs of their own with a win over Wolves and a four-goal thriller against Southampton. The west Londoners will have to have their wits about them as they travel to Yorkshire - even if Chelsea are unbeaten against the Whites from eight previous meetings.

READ MORE: Wesley Fofana asks to be left out of Leicester squad as Chelsea transfer talk intensifies

In his latest BBC Sport column, Sutton is expecting Leeds to fall short of the mark and former side to waltz away 1-0 victors. He said: "Leeds boss Jesse Marsch will have been deeply disappointed to see his side pegged back by Southampton after going two goals up, and I think he might have to deal with another setback here.

"There are still a few question marks over what is going on with Chelsea up front, and they keep getting linked with new players too, but they were excellent against Spurs last week. If they play like that at Elland Road, they will win."

Merson agreed, though the former Arsenal midfielder expects Chelsea to win 2-0. Speaking to Sportskeeda, he said: "Leeds United got three points on the opening weekend of the Premier League season but blew a two-goal lead against Southampton last time around.

"Chelsea were outstanding against Spurs and were unlucky to come out with just a point from the London derby, but goalscoring seems to be a bit of an issue for Thomas Tuchel at the moment.

"Despite their dominance, Hugo Lloris made just one save last weekend - one from Kai Havertz in the first half. I still expect them to beat Leeds United because ultimately, their class will prevail. But when you look at the grand scheme of things, you can't help but wonder where their goals are going to come from.

“Marc Cucurella was very good against Spurs - he passed the ball around nicely and didn't get caught out defensively. Last season, I fancied Chelsea to win the Premier League title but after injuries to Ben Chilwell and Reece James, they crumbled and couldn't recover on time to compete against Manchester City and Liverpool.

“With Cesar Azpilicueta and Ruben Loftus-Cheek available as deputies to James and Cucurella set to fight it out with Chilwell for a spot on the left flank, Chelsea are well covered on that front this season."

READ NEXT:

Raheem Sterling realises Pep Guardiola Chelsea dream as Tuchel faces Frenkie de Jong question

Todd Boehly overdue £40m success breaks fundamental Chelsea transfer rule to set new trend

Timo Werner Chelsea exit exposes wider transfer mistake that Todd Boehly cannot repeat

Callum Hudson-Odoi Dortmund talks could finally end Chelsea's £150m transfer dead-end

Full Chelsea Premier League fixture list for 2022/23

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.