Chelsea vs Leeds United
Chelsea losing top spot in the Premier League has surprised many.
To others it’s not such a shock, especially when you consider the vast majority of Chelsea’s players have not been involved in a title race since the 2016-17 season under Antonio Conte.
As The Athletic website smartly pointed out this week, people seem to have forgotten that the vast majority of the squad have not been part of a Chelsea side which has finished top — only Cesar Azpilicueta, N’Golo Kante and Marcos Alonso have played a major role in a successful Premier League bid.
However, despite recent setbacks, they are very much in contention this season and I expect them to create more Premier League highlights over the next six months, beginning this Saturday afternoon when Leeds United visit Stamford Bridge.
Talking Points
In terms of sheer depth, their squad is arguably the strongest in the league.
Just as well, because with the festive fixture crunch looming, Thomas Tuchel can count a good few walking wounded among his ranks, including Kante, Kovacic and Ben Chilwell.
On a brighter note, Alonso and Kai Havertz came off the bench in Russia against Zenit St Petersburg in the Champions League in midweek.
The good news for Chelsea is that their forthcoming games are eminently winnable – Wolves are the highest-placed of their next six opponents – and the players waiting in the wings boast serious pedigree, as demonstrated by last weekend’s £300 million subs’ bench.
Chelsea certainly need to bounce back from a late defeat at West Ham last Saturday.
Indeed, it’s time for the understudies to prove their worth: if Christian Pulisic, Ross Barkley and Timo Werner don’t make their mark in Chelsea colours over the next few weeks, will they ever?
As for Leeds, they have fewer stars, albeit their squad has been assembled at a fraction of the cost of their opponents.
At least they have Brazilian Raphinha in their ranks, a player who, on this season’s form, deserves to be included in that company.
Certainly, for what has proved a bargain £17 million acquisition from Rennes in October 2020, the 24 year-old is now a Brazil international, a regular starter for both club and country and deserving of the wide acclaim he has received.
History
It says much for Leeds’ hold over Chelsea historically that – even accounting for the Roman Abramovich era which began in 2003 – the Yorkshire club are still ahead in their head-to-head record.
Leeds have 39 wins, Chelsea 35 successes and there have been 30 draws.
That said, Leeds have not defeated the west Londoners for 19 years.
It was December 28, 2002, to be precise when goals from Jonathan Woodgate and a young James Milner secured a 2-0 win at Elland Road – ironically, those names throw back to a time when Leeds had a fine Aussie contingent which my colleague has recently reminded readers of.
How Leeds fans would love to be able to call upon the likes of Harry Kewell or Mark Viduka this weekend.
In fact, that remains their only success against Chelsea in their last 10 meetings in all competitions stretching back 20 years.
Last time they met – nine months ago – provided a vibrant stalemate.
The corresponding fixture last season saw Patrick Bamford gave Leeds a fourth minute lead before Chelsea hit back to win 3-1, courtesy of goals from Olivier Giroud, Kurt Zouma and Pulisic.
The occasion of their very first meeting was in December 1927 in the former Division Two – a 5-0 home Leeds triumph.
Arguably the most famous meeting between the sides was in the 1970 FA Cup Final.
After an initial 2-2 draw at Wembley, Chelsea won the replay 2-1 at Old Trafford.
After Mick Jones gave Leeds a first half lead, Peter Osgood equalised 12 minutes from time before David Webb scored an extra-time winner.
It was the first FA Cup final to require a replay since 1912 and attracted a British television audience of more than 28 million, the second highest UK audience for a sports broadcast (behind the 1966 World Cup Final).
Betting Tip
Chelsea are such clear favourites with the SBOTOP Premier League betting odds, they can be backed 1X2 @ 1.33, whereas Leeds are available @ 8.50.
The draw @ 5.00 is perhaps worth considering but it’s rare that Chelsea go three home league matches without a win.
With Asian Handicap odds, you can back the hosts -1.75 @ 2.29, while Leeds are on offer +1.25 @ 2.20.
Another 3-1 home win – correct score odds are @ 8.75 – or 0-0 – @ 14.50 – offer intriguing odds, whereas the currency of goals provides options aplenty including total goal 0-1 @ 4.50, 2-3 @ 2.08 and 4-6 @ 2.81, as well as over 3.25 goals @ 2.38. One bet which has caught my eye is Half Time Full Time Draw Home @ 3.70.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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