Chelsea v Leeds United: YEP Jury give their big match predictions

ANDY RHODES

Following two clean sheets after the international break, Leeds will travel to Stamford Bridge full of optimism for a game with a rich history.

Leeds haven’t visited this part of west London since 2004 and haven’t won here since 1999. But this season, United have been making up for lost time. Last weekend’s win at Everton caught the people’s attention and Marcelo Bielsa’s side are developing an even stronger attacking reputation.

Raphinha will be hoping to continue his fine form after his winner last week, while the defence will be hoping to stand strong again against the league’s joint-best attack.

Chelsea have also conceded just one goal in five games, so the match will pose a different kind of challenge for the Whites.

After the play-off defeat two years ago, you suspected that the Bielsa-vs-Lampard saga wasn’t over.

In the Premier League, there is no better place for the Chelsea-vs-Leeds rivalry to be renewed.

Prediction: Chelsea 2 Leeds United 2.

DAVID WATKINS

Like our trip to Goodison, this weekend’s visit to Stamford Bridge would have been a great away day for the fans to a familiar old stomping ground, albeit one where we have won more recently!

Sadly, no Leeds fans will be present but a couple of thousand home fans are expected to be allowed in. We hope that doesn’t provide too much of an advantage for Chelsea.

Our last win down there was almost exactly 21 years ago, a 2-0 victory courtesy of two breakaway goals from Stephen McPhail that took Leeds back to the top of the Premier League. We have been there only four times since and the last time was in 2004. This season Chelsea, under Frank Lampard, have started really well and sit third in the early table just two points adrift of Spurs and Liverpool with their only defeat coming at the hands of Liverpool back in September.

The Blues have also dropped points at home to Southampton and Spurs so, if we perform at our best and without errors, there is no reason we can’t bring home at least a point.

My prediction is a repeat of a famous old battle at Wembley we once had and, hopefully, an end to our recent ‘London curse’!

Prediction: Chelsea 2 Leeds United 2.

MATTHEW EVANS

Can you imagine the alternate reality of our first away trip to Stamford Bridge since that final Premier League game way back in 2004?

A journey to the bright lights of London, an all-day drinking session among the Christmas shoppers and revellers before filtering into the ground for an 8pm kick off.

Bielsa vs Lampard episode five; Spygate and play-off heartbreak all back to full prominence.

While some lucky Chelsea fans may get the chance to enjoy the fixture, sadly for us it wasn’t to be.

We’ll watch on the telly in the hope that Marcelo Bielsa can school Frank Lampard once again and show the benefit of quality coaching over massive spending. I’m not expecting anything from the game but, based on the rest of our performances this season, we’ll give Chelsea a run for their money (almost literally).

I can see a narrow defeat, maybe influenced by a poor VAR call, to continue our dismal run in the capital.

Let’s hope I’m wrong.

Prediction: Chelsea 2 Leeds United 1.

JACOB STARR

Frank Lampard vs Marcelo Bielsa. Chelsea vs Leeds United. Tomorrow night promises to be a thriller at Stamford Bridge.

The Whites will be full of confidence with consecutive clean sheets and four points from games against Arsenal and Everton.

The clash at the Bridge will be one they’ll be looking to get something from. But the Blues are unbeaten in 11 in all competitions and have conceded only two goals in their last nine, which is largely due to the signing of goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

Chelsea are only two points off the top whilst Leeds are three off the top five, so there will be plenty up for grabs come 8pm tomorrow.

The display at Goodison Park will surely warrant an unchanged starting XI, with Rodrigo biding his time for an opportunity off the bench.

We have proven we don’t fear anyone in this league, with huge displays so far against Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Everton – the ‘big boys’.

Could Chelsea be the next Premier League heavyweight to be disrupted by ‘little old Leeds’?

Prediction: Chelsea 4 Leeds United 2.

KEITH INGHAM

Tomorrow night against Chelsea is another step after the Liverpools and Man Citys of this league.

Chelsea have been crowned Champions League winners, Premier League title winners et al in our absence and we haven’t won at their place since 1999 when we triumphed 2-0.

There has been an intense, even fierce, rivalry between the two clubs since the 1960s.

The clubs’ disdain of each other goes back to controversial games when Leeds never seemed to get the rub of the green.

They are of course managed by a certain Frank Lampard who isn’t definitely on Santa’s good boy list. The petulant ex-Chelsea player certainly lets Leeds regularly under his skin so you can imagine his charges will be up for a game with United.

Leeds will be buoyed by two excellent performances against Arsenal and Everton and, unless injuries have happened during the week, I expect the same XI to start at 8pm tomorrow that strode out in their unusual but smart third kit and played so well against Everton.

Gjanni Alioski being preferred to Rodrigo and, to be honest, he’s not let anybody down. Rodrigo’s time will come!

A draw would be a great result, a win would be worthy of breaking out a decent bottle of wine or a malt for fellow juror David Watkins.

Prediction: Chelsea 1 Leeds United 1.

MIKE GILL

In a season full of stern tests for United, here comes another.

After doing battle with Everton, Leeds face their old adversary Frank Lampard. Although he was a fine player, many people are still to be convinced about his ability as a manager.

Although he does not have the same amount of riches at his disposal as some of his predecessors, the Chelsea squad is worth a few bob more than Leeds’.

We also know that, barring accidents, that they will be up near the summit at the end of the season and that they will progress in the Champions League.

Whether this will be enough to satisfy the insatiable Abramovich, who knows?

Leeds will travel to Stamford Bridge without fear.

The only nagging doubt would be United’s past performances in the capital but I can imagine that Bielsa would suffer a fit of apoplexy if anyone even mentions ‘the curse’.

Anyway, 30 per cent of the clubs in the Premier League are based in London so, if Leeds are to continue to progress, this is another ghost that needs to be laid to rest.

Prediction: Chelsea 1 Leeds United 1.

Support the YEP and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news and the latest on Leeds United, With a digital subscription, you see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click HERE to subscribe.