Thomas Tuchel’s west Londoners would hope to carry on their rich vein of form going up next against Leeds United in Premier League action over the weekend.
Chelsea have hit peak form in recent times since Tuchel took over from the under-fire Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge and the former Paris Saint-Germain boss has brought around a massive change in fortunes for the Blues.
Wins over Liverpool and Everton in the past week or so has tightened Chelsea’s grips over a prospective finish in the top-four this season and ensuring their participation in next season’s Champions League campaign.
However, the forthcoming game against Leeds United provides the Blues with another opportunity to get the better of a formidable opponent and close the gap on the third-placed Leicester City, with the Foxes just three points adrift of Tuchel’s side in the standings.
Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United outfit go into Saturday’s fixture at Elland Road needing just a solitary win to confirm their status in English top-flight football and the veteran Argentine manager would look to inflict a shock loss on visitors Chelsea to achieve the same.
An evenly-contested match to be on the cards come the weekend as both sides look to safeguard their respective objectives with just ten games to play for in the remainder of this campaign.
WHEN & WHERE?
Next ⏭️
Elland Road awaits… #LEECHE pic.twitter.com/s6OGwHJJUB— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 10, 2021
Date: Saturday 13 March
Time: 12:30 PM GMT
Venue: Elland Road
TEAM NEWS
Doubts remain over Tammy Abraham’s availability for the upcoming clash on the back of the England international being absent for Chelsea’s last three outings in domestic action.
Thomas Tuchel would have a major decision to make concerning his side’s attacking fortunes, which have dwindled of late, following Timo Werner encountering a drastic slump in form when in front of the goal.
Whether Tuchel opts to stick with his compatriot or hand a rare outing to the ever-brilliant Olivier Giroud remains to be seen, especially as Tammy Abraham returns to full fitness from an ankle injury.
Thiago Silva returned to the Chelsea bench last time around against Everton and could be in line to grab a starting spot in the four-man backline for the Blues despite the Rudiger-Christensen combine putting in a tremendous shift in recent weeks.
Kai Havertz is expected to retain his spot in the XI after what was a brilliant showing from the often misfiring German attacker in the 2-0 win over Everton.
KEY BATTLE
Patrick Bamford vs Kai Havertz
Leeds United’s talisman Bamford would look to inflict damage on his former side come Saturday at Elland Road and with the Englishman notching up a flurry of goals this season, Tuchel would be made aware of his threat up top for Bielsa’s side.
Havertz was a shining light in Chelsea’s spirited performance against Everton earlier this week in what could prove to be the youngster’s resurgence as a first-team regular for his new side after a largely mediocre spell since his move to Stamford Bridge last summer.
Both players would hope to make a pivotal difference for their teams which could have a major difference on the fixture’s outcome.
MATCH PREDICTION
Leeds United 1-2 Chelsea
Expect Chelsea to emerge victors from their travels to Elland Road as the hosts look a shadow of their former self, with five defeats in six games being inflicted upon Bielsa and Co.
The Leeds United frontline would be in for a tough task against a rejuvenated Chelsea defence but a lot depends on Tuchel’s forward options at hand to secure the win for the Blues.
