Wednesday 19 December
Leeds United v Chelsea
Chelsea's busy schedule away from the Bridge continues tonight as they travel to Elland Road for their League Cup quarter-final clash against Leeds United. The club already have a bitter rivalry dating back decades and Leeds boss Neil Warnock was recently very critical about the Blues handling of the Mikel race row- so believe this one's personal.
Both teams will also have gathered some extra inspiration to do well in this tournament from events that have happened this season. For lower-division Leeds, they would have taken great inspiration from Bradford City's disposal of Premier elite Arsenal last week. As for Chelsea, the League Cup will be regarded with much more more prominence than before; following their slip-ups in Europe, domestically and the Club World Cup.
In cup competitions, history is most definitely in the Londoners favour, however. The two sides have met a total of eleven times in cup ties in the past and Chelsea have never lost- managing seven wins and four draws.
Leeds fair better out of the two teams when it comes to players available. The home side are hopeful goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown will be fit and Alan Tate is cup tied- the rest of the squad are available. Chelsea, on the other hand, will miss Daniel Sturridge, John Obi Mikel, Gary Cahill, Ramires and John Terry.
Although they are playing a side from the lower divisions, Chelsea can not afford to underestimate their opponents. We expect a tense game where if Chelsea do not capitalise on the chances they create, they may get punished by the Yorkshire side...
