Chelsea vs Leeds Prediction: Nkunku to leave bitter Blues with sweet taste

Chelsea have only had a couple of days to stew on the heartbreak of Sunday's Carabao Cup final defeat to Liverpool, but they must now rouse themselves for the visit of an old adversary - Leeds United - to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night (KO, 19:30).

Leeds head into the FA Cup fifth-round tie on the back of five straight Championship wins in February, form which has seen them move to within six points of leaders Leicester City. The Whites are yet to taste defeat in 12 games this calendar year, and will be looking to prey on the vulnerabilities at Chelsea.

The Blues have won less than half of their games in 2024 (5/11) and the pressure is starting to mount on Mauricio Pochettino, whose side sit 11th in the Premier League, sandwiched between Newcastle United and Fulham.

Team News

Pochettino is likely to make several changes to his starting XI after Sunday's extra time exertions. Robert Sanchez could make his first appearance in goal since December 10 after recently returning from injury, and there could be rare starts for Trevoh Chalobah and Adam Gilchrist in front of him. Thiago Silva failed to make the matchday squad against Liverpool, and it remains to be seen whether his groin injury has healed in time for Wednesday.

Further forward, expect Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke and Mykhailo Mudryk to be handed opportunities from the beginning, after the trio came on as substitutes against the Reds.

The likes of Benoit Badiashile, Carney Chukwuemeka, Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella remain injured.

Leeds have a few players sidelined themselves including Pascal Struijk, but Sam Byram is now back and considered "an option" by Daniel Farke, who has expressed doubts over the availability of attacking trio Patrick Bamford, Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville, who have struck 29 times between them this term.

Their potential absences should open the door for the likes of Dan James and Jaidon Anthony, while on-loan Burnley full-back Connor Roberts will hope his goal against Leicester last Friday is enough to warrant a start at Stamford Bridge.

The Wales international could be joined in defence by captain Liam Cooper, who hasn't played since their fourth-round replay at Plymouth Argyle on February 6.

Match Odds

Chelsea are 8/15 to respond to the disappointment of Sunday with a victory inside 90 minutes against Leeds, who are priced at 5/1 to continue their winning streak. The draw, which would send the tie into extra-time in west London, is 10/3.

Both teams to score landed in Chelsea's last five matches leading up to the Carabao Cup final and it's 4/6 for it to happen again in midweek.

Chelsea to win (90 mins) and both teams to score - Yes  15/8

It's all pretty doom and gloom at Chelsea at the moment - understandably given results this season and the manner of Sunday's defeat - but they are unbeaten inside 90 minutes in their last four matches, which includes their last two against Manchester City and Liverpool - two of the best sides in Europe this season - and a couple of 3-1 wins at Aston Villa and Crystal Palace.

Wednesday's opponents will also be viewing this game as a free hit away from home against an expensively-assembled Premier League squad, and considering the importance of their league campaign. With a few changes expected in the Whites line-up, their fluency may be disrupted.

I expect a strong response from Chelsea in front of their own fans, but the visitors will fancy their chances of at least getting on the scoresheet. The Blues haven't kept a clean sheet in their last six, while Leeds last failed to find the net on December 29.

Christopher Nkunku to score anytime (90 mins) @ 23/20

The France international looks a certainty to start on Wednesday after only appearing as a second-half substitute on Sunday, and his side could really do with him weaving his magic against the Whites.

There are a distinct lack of clinical finishers at Chelsea, something which was evident against Liverpool, but Nkunku is a player who has consistently delivered goals at the highest level.

Despite an injury-hit season, Nkunku has still struck twice in seven Premier League matches, including one at Anfield last month, and he will be desperate to score his first one at Stamford Bridge.

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