The Whites will be buoyed by news that Thiago Silva, N’Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy and Mason Mount are ruled out of Saturday's game, while Reece James remains a doubt with a hamstring problem.
Leeds’ own injury problems concern Liam Cooper, Max Wober, Pascal Struijk and Luis Sinisterra, who will all be subject to late fitness tests after missing out on the FA Cup defeat to Fulham in midweek.
Head coach Javi Gracia has toyed with the idea of fielding Patrick Bamford and Georginio Rutter in attack following the Frenchman’s impressive display – even if he was unfortunate not to find the back of the net – at Craven Cottage on Tuesday. It leaves a selection headache for Gracia who may be forced to sacrifice one of his wider players in order to accommodate a second striker.
Here is the YEP’s predicted Leeds United starting line-up ahead of tomorrow afternoon’s 3 o’clock kick-off.
1. Leeds United Predicted XI vs Chelsea
Luke Ayling of Leeds United leads the team out prior to the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Fulham and Leeds United at Craven Cottage (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) Photo: Warren Little
2. GK: Illan Meslier
Hard to imagine the goalkeeper who has been No. 1 under Marcelo Bielsa, Jesse Marsch and now Javi Gracia will be dropped any time soon (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) Photo: GLYN KIRK
3. RB: Luke Ayling
The stand-in captain has been back to his pre-injury best in recent weeks and has hardly put a foot wrong since Gracia arrived. Expect him to retain his place at right-back, staving off competition from Rasmus Kristensen (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) Photo: Stu Forster
4. RCB: Robin Koch
Arguably Leeds United's most consistent defender this season. You can count his sub-par performances on one hand. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) Photo: Gareth Copley
5. LCB: Max Wober
There is a question mark over Max Wober's availability since coming off against Southampton last weekend, but if he's fit then he plays, such is the impact he's had on the left-hand side of defence since arriving in January (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) Photo: Stu Forster
6. LB: Junior Firpo
The Junior Firpo remontada continued last weekend with him scoring the match-winner against Southampton. He seems a great deal more assured on both sides of the ball now after persistent injury issues and falling out of favour under Marsch (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) Photo: Stu Forster