Blues Head to Elland Road for a High-Stakes Midweek Battle
So, looking ahead to this midweek clash, the spotlight turns to Elland Road, where Leeds United are preparing to host Chelsea in what feels like one of those fixtures that always has a bit of electricity about it. Chelsea arrive after going toe-to-toe with Arsenal, even managing to push the league leaders hard despite being a man down. That resilience has been widely praised, and it sets the tone for a busy spell ahead—eight matches across three different countries over the next couple of weeks. This trip up the M1 is only the beginning for them.
Leeds, meanwhile, find themselves in a much more precarious position. Two defeats in their last three at Elland Road have dented what used to be one of the league’s more intimidating home grounds. They’ve slipped to 18th in the table, and a four-match losing streak paired with ten games without a clean sheet has left confidence a bit shaky. Despite that, nearly three-quarters of their points have still been earned at home, and just like Chelsea, their fans have yet to see them trailing at half-time this season. So there is still a foundation for belief.
Also Read:This match also kicks off a run of midweek Premier League rounds where every game is broadcast live, which always adds to the sense of occasion. Chelsea should feel good about their nighttime form: twelve wins and three draws from their last seventeen late kick-offs, plus goals in six consecutive away games. Enzo Maresca will be especially eager to get one over Leeds, having failed to do so when he was managing Leicester.
The stakes are significant for Chelsea. They can’t drop below third after Tuesday’s results, and a win could lift them to second depending on how Manchester City fare. But Elland Road hasn’t been kind to them historically. It’s been something of a bogey ground—only six wins in 48 league visits. That long, painful wait included decades punctuated by the odd memorable success, like the 1988 victory or the dramatic comeback win of 1994. And of course, that 1970 FA Cup final replay win still echoes through the rivalry.
More recent meetings have swung both ways. Chelsea’s 3-0 win in May 2022 was decisive, but the reverse fixture early in the following season showed how dangerous Leeds can be on their day.
Looking at the present moment, Chelsea remain the league’s best away team this season, averaging over two points per game on the road. Leeds, on the other hand, have struggled badly in midweek fixtures. And while both clubs are relatively unaffected by January’s Africa Cup of Nations, Chelsea will still need to adjust after Moisés Caicedo’s suspension. The return of Cole Palmer helps balance things, and there is belief that the squad’s depth should carry them through.
Everything is set for a fiery, atmospheric, under-the-lights showdown—classic Leeds vs Chelsea, with a lot on the line for both sides.
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