A fresh chapter in a classic domestic rivalry unfolds this Wednesday night at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea host Leeds United in the EFL Cup third round. This tie offers a rematch of last season’s FA Cup semi-final, with both sides seeking momentum after navigating their second-round fixtures.
Xabi Alonso’s side enter midweek action eager to bounce back following their first setback of the campaign, while Daniel Farke brings an unbeaten Leeds team hungry for a cup upset.
Team Form
Chelsea: Suffered their first defeat under Alonso after claiming back-to-back league victories.
Leeds United: Unbeaten across four matches in all competitions this season, with two wins and two draws.
Key Stats & Head-to-Head
Chelsea have triumphed in all ten previous cup meetings against Leeds across the EFL Cup and FA Cup.
The Blues have been eliminated at the third-round stage of this competition only once in the last 15 years.
Leeds have struggled in the EFL Cup historically, failing to progress beyond round three in 13 of the past 17 seasons.
The Whites have lost just two of their previous 16 competitive outings dating back to the start of March.
Chelsea secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Leeds in their most recent clash during April’s FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.
What to Expect From Both Teams
Chelsea | Form: WWWL
Xabi Alonso's men look to quickly move past Sunday’s 2-1 derby loss at Arsenal, where an early opener was cancelled out by the champions.
With key figures like Jordan Henderson sidelined, Alonso is expected to rotate his squad, potentially handing starts to fresh attacking talents like Estevao Willian and Danny Welbeck.
Having reached the semi-finals last term, the five-time winners will prioritize a commanding home performance to secure early silverware ambitions.
Leeds United | Form: WWWD
Daniel Farke’s squad arrives in West London boasting an encouraging four-match unbeaten run, most recently drawing 1-1 against Brighton in league play.
Despite injuries to Joe Rodon and Mateo Joseph, the Whites possess plenty of depth, with new recruits like Melvin Bard and Jean-Matteo Bahoya pushing for inclusion.
Aiming for their first major trophy since 1972, Leeds will view this fixture as a prime opportunity to test their top-flight credentials against elite opposition.
Predicted Lineups
Chelsea (possible):
Penders, Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill, Gusto, Lavia, Barco, Chavarria, Estevao, Palmer, Welbeck.
Leeds United (possible):
Trafford, Elvedi, Bijol, Muharemovic, Bogle, Ampadu, Longstaff, Justin, Aaronson, Wilson, Nmecha.
Matchups & Players to Watch
Danny Welbeck: The forward opened his Chelsea account in the previous round against Luton and will aim to lead the attack effectively once more.
Jayden Bogle: Fresh off scoring early against Brighton, the wing-back's offensive surges will test Chelsea’s defensive wide areas.
Estevao Willian: The young playmaker could be granted a starting spot to showcase his creativity in Alonso's rotated frontline.
Ethan Ampadu: The midfielder faces his former club, tasked with anchoring Leeds' engine room and frustrating the hosts' buildup play.
Odds Market on MSport
Chelsea/Home to win = 1.66
Leeds United/Away to win = 4.84
Both teams to score (GG/NG Yes) = 1.68
Over 2.5 total goals = 1.66
This clash presents an intriguing battle between two sides eager to establish momentum in domestic competition.
With Chelsea aiming to resume winning ways and Leeds seeking to extend their unbeaten start, Stamford Bridge sets the stage for an intense cup night.