Chelsea will hope to bounce back from their recent rut when they take on Leeds United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday in the Premier League.
Thomas Tuchel’s men sit third in the league standings after last weekend’s defeat to city rivals West Ham United as Manchester City and Liverpool picked up wins to move up.
The Blues threw away the lead twice in a 3-3 thriller of a draw with Zenit St Petersburg midweek which meant that they had to settle for second place in the group stage standings of the continental campaign.
With just one win from their last four games in all competitions, Chelsea have to get firing again should they aim to reclaim the top spot and outings on home turf have not been the most encouraging of late for Thomas Tuchel and Co.
Three top-flight stalemates on the trot at Stamford Bridge has allowed title rivals to move ahead in the race to the summit as Chelsea gear up to host Leeds United over the weekend in a must-win game for the home side.
Defensive frailties have cost the Blues dearly in recent games and most notably in the derby defeat to West Ham United where David Moyes’ high-flyers ran out 3-2 winners in a memorable result.
The Elland Road outfit have failed to hit the highs of the last season and sit 15th in the league standings with Patrick Bamford’s last-minute heroics securing a crucial point at home against the league’s new boys Brentford last time around.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side have emerged second best only once across their last seven Premier League games and could prove to be a stern challenger for an under-fire Chelsea outfit on Saturday.
WHEN AND WHERE?
Back at Stamford Bridge this weekend! 🔵#CheLee 🔜 pic.twitter.com/mw6TFpIPvE
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 9, 2021
Date – 11 December
Time – 2 PM GMT
Venue – Stamford Bridge
TEAM NEWS
Chelsea are expected to miss Ben Chilwell and N’Golo Kante both of whom are nursing knee troubles.
Central defender Trevoh Chalobah is still working his way to full fitness from a thigh injury while midfield man Mateo Kovacic recently tested positive for COVID-19 ensuring his spell on the sidelines to be extended.
The likes of Antonio Rudiger and Thiago Silva will be joined by maestro Jorginho back to the starting XI after being rested for the midweek outing in Russia.
KEY BATTLE
Antonio Rudiger vs Rafinha
Chelsea’s lapses of concentration at the back have to be fixed sooner rather than later and who better to do it than the star defensive talent in Antonio Rudiger.
The Germany international despite the speculation surrounding his Stamford Bridge future beyond next summer remains Tuchel’s trusted name in the three-man backline and will have a formidable challenger in Leeds winger Rafinha.
PREDICTION
Chelsea’s uninspiring form of late should not prevent them from sealing the three points come Saturday in a crunch tie for both teams.
Chelsea 3-1 Leeds United
