Chelsea vs Leeds preview, prediction, team news and head-to-head

• Both teams to score

• Over 2.5 goals

• Chelsea to win

When Enzo Maresca abruptly left the club on New Year’s Day, most would have predicted further troubles for Chelsea, especially with the appointment of the relatively inexperienced Liam Rosenior.

However, such blues appear to have evaded the Blues, who, having failed to win any of their previous five Premier League matches beforehand (D3, L2), have experienced a resurgence since Rosenior’s appointment.

Liam Rosenior has shown experience beyond his years to successfully navigate a tricky run of consecutive London derbies, beating Brentford (2–0), Crystal Palace (3–1) and West Ham United (3–2).

He also seems on the verge of getting the best back out of Cole Palmer, whose historic first-half hat-trick proved decisive in Saturday’s 3–1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers and strengthened their bid for Champions League qualification.

The result at the Molineux served as the perfect response to their EFL Cup semi-final elimination following a 4–2 aggregate defeat to Arsenal, with those home and away losses to their London rivals the only blemishes in the 41-year-old’s opening nine matches across all competitions.

Currently fifth in the Premier League standings, the Blues are just one point adrift of the top four and four ahead of sixth-placed Liverpool.

They welcome a Leeds side to Stamford Bridge who have also found form of late. Daniel Farke's side have lost just one of their last four league matches (W2, D1), boosting their bid to avoiding an instant return to the Championship.

Victory on Tuesday night would not only strengthen Chelsea’s Champions League push but also see Rosenior become the first Chelsea manager since Maurizio Sarri in September 2018 to win his first three home league games in charge.

However, Chelsea must overcome a midweek hoodoo, having failed to record a victory in any of their three such outings in the top flight this season (D2, L1). One of these was at Elland Road in December, where they were well-beaten as Leeds stormed to a 3–1 win.

However, a poor record on the road suggests the Whites could struggle. They have lost seven of their 12 Premier League matches on their travels, with only bottom-two sides Burnley (5) and Wolves (3) collecting fewer points away from home than Leeds’ seven.

Chelsea are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League home games against Leeds, winning the last six in a row (D1). Their last defeat was in December 1999, losing 2-0 thanks to a Stephen McPhail brace.

Following their 3-1 win at Elland Road in December, Leeds are looking to complete the league double over Chelsea for the first time since their 1991-92 title winning campaign.

Leeds are also looking to become just the second promoted side to complete the Premier League double over Chelsea, after Charlton Athletic in 2000-01.

Chelsea are expected to remain without Levi Colwill (knee injury). Jamie Gittens and Tosin Adarabioyo are both sidelined with hamstring issues, while Dario Essugo and Romeo Lavia continue their recoveries from thigh problems.

Andrey Santos was withdrawn late on against Wolves with a knock, casting doubt over his availability. However, Rosenior has indicated Reece James could return to contention after missing the previous two matches.

With Daniel James and Lukas Nmecha back in contention, Anton Stach appears to be the only likely Leeds absentee, leaving Daniel Farke with an almost fully fit squad to choose from.

Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, R. James; Fernandez; Estevao, Palmer; J Pedro

Leeds United: Darlow; Rodon, Struijk, Justin; Bogle, Aaronson, Ampadu, Gruev, Gudmundsson; Calvert-Lewin, Okafor

While both teams have struggled in midweek outings, Chelsea should take maximum points, buoyed by their dominance at the Bridge in this fixture and the knowledge that there is little margin for error in the race for Champions League qualification, especially with rivals also gathering momentum.

Correct score prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Leeds United