Leeds United vs Chelsea FC, Premier League 2022-2023, Today Match Prediction

Leeds United vs Chelsea FC Match Prediction & Analysis

Chelsea were the better side in their London clash against Tottenham, but they would have been the more disappointed as their rivals claimed a late equaliser in a feisty game.

Both managers were sent off, meaning that Thomas Tuchel could be forced to miss this game. Regardless, Chelsea will feel that they can push on and claim their second win of the season.

They will not want to be left behind those currently at the top, namely Manchester City and Arsenal, although the season is still young. More players have been linked with Chelsea with week in the transfer market as well.

For Leeds, they will be pleased with the start they have made under Jesse Marsch. 

The American may have little experience of the Premier League, but his methods have helped transform Leeds after the departure of former manager Marcelo Bielsa.

Both teams enter this game eager to return to winning ways.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Leeds United Preview

Reasons to be cheerful:

     High-energy approach has transformed Leeds

     Have the league’s top scorer currently

Reasons to be fearful:

     Chelsea looked great against Spurs

     No win in last seven against Chelsea

Leeds have the look of a team that are very much settled in the Premier League under Jesse Marsch.

A season ago, when Marcelo Bielsa was in charge, they looked as though they could be relegated back to the Championship, with players lacking confidence and the team being too easy to play against.

Now, they have a renewed energy, despite losing one of their best players over the summer, Kalvin Phillips, to Manchester City, and another in Raphinha to Barcelona.

They have replaced Phillips with Marc Roca from Bayern Munich and Raphinha with Brenden Aaronson from RB Salzburg. The squad continues to look well-balanced.

Their problem here will be the quality of their opponents, who looked in fine form against Tottenham despite failing to claim victory.

Leeds have the tools to cause an upset, but must claim their first win against the Blues since 2002.

Star Man – Rodrigo

The Spanish international has taken up the mantle of Leeds’ most creative player with the departure of Raphinha. Rodrigo is currently the league’s top scorer and will be out for more against Chelsea.

Chelsea FC Preview

Reasons to be cheerful

     Were brilliant against Spurs, despite failing to claim victory

     Only City have won more away matches since Tuchel joined Chelsea

Reasons to be fearful

     Still lacking a proper goalscorer

     Conceding against Spurs shows defensive weaknesses

Between the edge of their penalty area, and the edge of Tottenham’s, Chelsea were exceptional.

At times, they ran their opponents ragged, causing them all sorts of problems with their movements and passing combinations.

It was only when they reached Spurs’ penalty area that they fell a little short of ideas, lacking a recognised centre forward to set up. Raheem Sterling is a wonderful player, and will score plenty of goals for them, but he is a proper ‘number 9’. 

There has been talked of signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this week from Barcelona, someone who would fill that hole.

Chelsea will want to return to winning ways here, to ensure they don’t fall too far behind those at the top.

Star Man – Raheem Sterling

Chelsea need more from their attacking players, with none of their three goals this season coming from a striker or attacking player. Sterling has been signed for big money and will be expected to produce regularly.