At the end of a turbulent week featuring the abrupt exit of Liam Rosenior after less than four months in charge, Chelsea interim head coach Calum McFarlane says his players face a “massive game” and a “great opportunity to get to an FA Cup final” when they meet Leeds United in the final four on Sunday.
A wretched 3-0 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion signalled the end for Rosenior and a fifth straight league loss without scoring for the Blues, who have avoided defeat twice in their last eight matches in all competitions by beating second-tier Wrexham and third-tier Port Vale in the cup.
“Everyone’s excited – the whole group, the whole club,” added McFarlane, who also took temporary charge when Enzo Maresca left Chelsea in January.
“This is why you do the job, so we’re all really excited and looking forward to the game. Our performance wasn’t good enough [against Brighton] and we’re going to address that and perform to the level we’re capable of.
“[It’s a case of] making sure the lads are prepared for the strengths of Leeds and making sure we’re ready to expose their weaknesses.”
Chelsea’s record against Leeds this season suggests they may struggle even if they are at their best, having lost 3-1 at Elland Road in December and spurned a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at Stamford Bridge in February.
“We will not do anything too special for this game and we will prepare like a normal Premier League game,” explained Leeds head coach Daniel Farke.
“I trust my lads and I trust my group. The result is not a guarantee because we face strong opponents who have unbelievable quality and a very skilful squad.
“We will stick to our DNA. We have to be brave, play on the front foot, be good in possession and threaten the opponents’ goal.
“We also have to be ready to suffer and defend well as a unit but also go through tricky moments. If we do this, we have a chance.”
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Chelsea v Leeds team news
Leeds midfielder Ilia Gruev will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury and right-back Jayden Bogle is a doubt with a foot problem.
Midfielder Anton Stach could return after three matches out with an ankle issue. Centre-back Sebastiaan Bornauw, who has been an unused substitute in Leeds’ last nine league games but featured in all of their FA Cup matches this season, is a doubt after rolling his ankle during the warm-up before the 2-2 draw at Bournemouth on Wednesday.
Winger Estevao Willian will miss the rest of Chelsea’s season with a hamstring injury but forwards Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro could return.
Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen (groin), defender Levi Colwill (knee) and winger Jamie Gittens (hamstring) remain absent.
Chelsea v Leeds predicted line-ups
Chelsea starting XI: Robert Sanchez, Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Jorrel Hato, Moises Caicedo, Andrey Santos, Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro
Leeds United starting XI: Lucas Perri, Joe Rodon, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Pascal Struijk, Jayden Bogle, Ethan Ampadu, Ao Tanaka, James Justin, Facundo Buonanotte, Wilfried Gnonto, Lukas Nmecha
Where to watch Chelsea v Leeds: TV and online streams
Kick-off on Sunday is at 15:00 BST (10:00 ET / 07:00 PT). Live TV coverage in the UK is on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate and HBO Max.
Streaming is on the HBO Max app. TNT Sports costs £30.99 a month and is available on a vast range of devices including smart TVs and gaming consoles.
Chelsea v Leeds stats
- Six of the last seven meetings in all competitions between these teams have featured at least three goals, with four of those matches containing at least four
- Only Arsenal (14) and Manchester United (13) can better Chelsea’s total of eight FA Cup triumphs
- United (9) are the only team to have been runners-up more often than Chelsea (8)
- Chelsea are on a run of more than seven hours and 56 minutes without a goal in games against Premier League teams
- The Blues are unbeaten in all 13 of their cup matches against Leeds (W9 D4)
- Leeds have won four, lost three and drawn three of their last 10 matches against Chelsea away from Stamford Bridge
- They have lost one of their last 12 away games in all competitions, winning their last two at Manchester United in the Premier League and West Ham in the FA Cup
- The Whites are in the semi-finals for the first time since 1987, when they lost 3-2 to Coventry City after extra time at Hillsborough
- Victory would send Leeds to the final for the first time since 1973, when they lost the decider 1-0 to Sunderland
- A 1-0 win over Arsenal ensured they lifted the FA Cup a season earlier, having been beaten by Chelsea on their previous appearance in the final in 1970, losing a replay 2-1 after extra time following an initial 2-2 draw
Chelsea v Leeds prediction
Prediction: Chelsea 0-1 Leeds
Given Chelsea’s performance at Brighton, Leeds might have felt more confidence had their opponents not changed manager the following day. That makes predicting this tie all the more difficult, but the sides’ contrasting form suggests a surprise is feasible.
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