There can only be one goal for Thomas Tuchel-less Chelsea side when they travel to Elland Road on Sunday to take on Leeds United and that is a return to winning ways.
Following their controversial draw with Tottenham Hotspur in the London derby on Sunday evening, which saw their German manager shown a red card at full time due to a brawl with former Chelsea and now Spurs manager, Antonio Conte.
Both Tuchel and Conte have been suspended for the upcoming Premier League games and for Chelsea, who would feel hard done in the match, all eyes will be on the three points as they travel without their manager..
Chelsea were able to beat Everton 1-0 at the Goodison in the opening weekend, ending run of five visits to the Blue side of Merseyside without a win and will be looking to build on that away form at Leeds.
Leeds United are on four points from their opening two games, same as Chelsea. Jesse Marsch’s side kicked off the season with a 2-1 home win against Wolverhampton Wonderers thanks to a come from behind win.
Like Chelsea, they also drew 2-2 in their last match at Southampton but would have themselves to blame for not making away with the three points having allowed the host to come back from two goals down.
Leeds United have conceded three goals in total and Chelsea will be looking to add more to the numbers, with Raheem Sterling still in the hunt for his maiden goal for his new club, the time might just be about right.
The forward has however found it difficult against the Lilly Whites. Despite Manchester City scoring eleven in their last two meetings with United, Sterling did not register a goal or an assist in those games though he only featured once, and his only goal against them came in a 1-1 draw at Elland Road in October 2020.
Leeds United will also be counting on the form of Rodrygo Moreno, who has scored three in two games so far, more goals than any other player in the league this season.
For Chelsea, defenders have been more of threats going forward and two of their three goals have come from defenders. The other goal has come from a spot kick taken by Jorginho, who did scored twice from the spot when both sides clashed at the Stamford Bridge in a 3-2 Chelsea win last season.
Chelsea are unbeaten in each of their last eight games against Leeds United, winning six and Leeds’ last win against Chelsea came in a 2-0 home win in December 2002.
Leeds United have a number of first team players on the sidelines in Patrick Bamford, Liam Cooper, Stuart Dallas, Junior Firpo and youngster, Joe Gelhardt.
N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic are ruled out for Chelsea while Marcos Alonso is still in the process of a move to Barcelona.
Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi
