Leeds United vs Chelsea FC, Premier League 2020-2021, Today Match Prediction

Leeds United vs Chelsea FC Match Prediction & Analysis

Chelsea are one of the most formidable sides in Europe right now, following an impressive run of form since Thomas Tuchel joined as manager at the end of January.

11 matches have passed in that time, nine of them in the league, with the Blues securing six victories domestically in that period.

They now seem like the favourites to finish in a top four spot this season, ahead of the chasing pack which includes the likes of West Ham, Liverpool, Everton and Tottenham.

Fortunately for them, they have no new injury concerns coming into this one.

Leeds, on the other hand, have hit a tricky spell coming into the final two months of the season. The Peacocks have struggled for consistent form all season, but it now seems as though their wins have dried up, with just two coming from their last seven.

They’ll certainly raise their game to test this Chelsea side, but can they break through?

TEAMS PREVIEW

Leeds United Preview

Form Guide (all comps): LLWLL

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Performance levels have remained high despite recent poor results

     Have the power to cause a shock

Reasons to be fearful:

     Could lose four consecutive games against Chelsea here

     Winless in all six home games against teams from the top half

Leeds have been rather disappointing in front of goal recently, scoring in just one of their last four matches while conceding at the same rate as they have done for much of the season so far.

They’ve started slowly in matches, something which they’ve struggled to recover from. Bielsa’s side have failed to score in the first half of any of the last five league games, something which is always going to put you on the back foot.

In contrast, they’ve conceded a league-high 29 goals in the first half of games across the season, a tally which is four more than opponents Chelsea have conceded in total.

Here however, they will raise their game as they have done for much of the season when the pressure is on. While they haven’t beaten any of the top half at home, they’ve certainly given them a good game, and will test a Chelsea defence which haven’t conceded too many goals of late.

Star Man – Raphinha

Has been the one player with the spark required to win football matches lately, but has only two goals from his 10 home appearances this season.

Chelsea FC Preview

Form Guide (all comps): DWDWW

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Remain unbeaten in the 11 games under Tuchel

     Can keep four successive clean sheets for the first time since 2017

Reasons to be fearful:

     Are still struggling to score multiple goals in games

     Will have their defence tested against this fluid Leeds side

Chelsea continue to go from strength to strength under their new manager, with their latest victory, a 2-0 downing of Everton last week, a real sign of intent at how they plan to finish the season.

They are now two points ahead of 5th place West Ham and looking confident in their battle to secure Champions League football for next season. In truth, their form could easily see them overtake either Leicester or Manchester United ahead of them eventually.

Their away form has been spectacular too, with five wins and a draw from the six games they’ve played on the road, with a strong defence helping to offset the fact that they aren’t scoring too many at the other end.

Against Leeds, they will play in the same way as they have for the past couple of months, looking to press high, defend solidly and score the odd goal. 

Star Man – Mason Mount

Only played half an hour against Everton last weekend, so should be fresh and firing here.