Chelsea’s Premier League title credentials were badly tarnished as they were beaten 3-1 by relegation candidates Leeds. Daniel Farke’s position had been in doubt after his Leeds side lost four on the spin, but they supplied a brilliant performance at Elland Road to dispatch the lacklustre Blues and hoist themselves out of the relegation zone. Goals from Ao Tanaka and Jaka Bijol had them two to the good come half-time, but Chelsea seemed set for a comeback after substitute Pedro Neto pulled one back moments into the second period.
But a howler from Tosin Adarabioyo gifted Dominic Calvert-Lewin a third with a quarter of an hour remaining, and Chelsea were deservedly beaten. Leeds even threatened to score a fourth as Chelsea rolled over, desperately waiting for the full-time whistle.
Cole Palmer came on in the second half to make his first appearance since being injured in September, but failed to affect a turnaround. Catch up with the action as it happened below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Dom Smith at Elland Road.
Leeds vs Chelsea latest news
- GOAL! Tosin howler gifts Leeds third
- GOAL! Neto halves the deficit
- GOAL! Tanaka doubles Leeds' advantage
- GOAL! Chelsea trail after Bijol header
Dom Smith's player ratings
22:22 , Arthur FerridgeLook away, Chelsea fans. This doesn’t make for pretty reading.
Tosin Adarabioyo scores a three, as does Benoit Badiashile. Estevao isn’t much better after his dismal 45-minute performance.
Read Dom Smith’s full player ratings here...
FULL TIME: Leeds 3-1 Chelsea
22:11 , Arthur FerridgeThere’s the whistle. Long journey home for Chelsea.
Leeds 3-1 Chelsea
22:09 , Arthur Ferridge90+5mins: As forgettable a night as this is for Chelsea, the Leeds fans are having the time of their lives. Still in full voice here.
Leeds 3-1 Chelsea
22:05 , Arthur Ferridge90+1mins: Good news, Chelsea fans: there will be six minutes of added time!
Leeds 3-1 Chelsea
22:04 , Arthur Ferridge89mins: Gudmundsson looks to cut inside but leaves the ball behind. Gusto attempts to track him, but slips, and the Leeds man recovers. A comedy error to crown a miserable Chelsea evening.
Leeds 3-1 Chelsea
22:02 , Arthur Ferridge88mins: Joao Pedro is found in space in the box, but miscontrols the ball, fouls his man, and is flagged offside. Other than that, great attack from Chelsea!
Leeds 3-1 Chelsea
22:01 , Arthur Ferridge87mins: Justin and Piroue replace Bogle and Calvert-Lewin for Leeds.
Leeds 3-1 Chelsea
21:57 , Arthur Ferridge84mins: Guiu heads wide from a well-placed Gusto cross.
Leeds 3-1 Chelsea
21:57 , Arthur Ferridge83mins: Okafor shoots from distance after Sanchez comes well off his line, but doesn’t quite catch it right.
Leeds 3-1 Chelsea
21:56 , Arthur Ferridge82mins: Garnacho dances through the Leeds box and looks to tee up Joao Pedro, who sees his shot blocked.
Leeds 3-1 Chelsea
21:55 , Arthur Ferridge80mins: Leeds look fully intent on scoring another here.
Leeds 3-1 Chelsea
21:52 , Arthur Ferridge77mins: One more roll of the dice for Chelsea as Guiu replaces Santos.
Dom Smith at Elland Road
21:48 , Arthur FerridgeWhat a horrendous mistake by Tosin, who will want the ground to just swallow him up. Chelsea two goals behind again. That was just woeful.
GOAL! Leeds 3-1 Chelsea | Calvert-Lewin
21:47 , Arthur FerridgeTosin is dispossessed in his own six-yard box, and Calvert-Lewin scores the easiest goal of his career, tapping in from a matter of centimetres out.
Leeds 2-1 Chelsea
21:46 , Arthur Ferridge71mins: Garnacho has been a proper live wire since coming on. He pulls back another smart cross to Fernandez, who also fluffs his lines.
Leeds 2-1 Chelsea
21:43 , Arthur Ferridge69mins: A big chance goes begging as Palmer shoots narrowly wide from Garnacho’s low cross.
Leeds 2-1 Chelsea
21:43 , Arthur Ferridge68mins: Some of the pace has come out of this match, which probably suits Leeds more than it does Chelsea. The visitors are lacking a bit of impetus.
Leeds 2-1 Chelsea
21:41 , Arthur Ferridge66mins: The goalscorer Tanaka is hooked alongside Nmecha. They are replaced by Okafor and Gruev.
Leeds 2-1 Chelsea
21:39 , Arthur Ferridge65mins: 25 minutes remain for Chelsea to rescue a point or three here.
Leeds 2-1 Chelsea
21:37 , Arthur Ferridge63mins: Garnacho is being loudly booed by the Leeds fans. He has scored here before for United.
Leeds 2-1 Chelsea
21:35 , Arthur FerridgeBogle is dispossessed after a threatening run, and Chelsea escape. Time for the changes, now.
Gittens is replaced Garnacho, and Cole Palmer returns to the pitch in place of Liam Delap.
Leeds 2-1 Chelsea
21:33 , Arthur Ferridge58mins: Delap fires narrowly wide from the edge of the box.
Dom Smith at Elland Road
21:32 , Arthur FerridgeCole Palmer is stripped and ready to come on for his first Chelsea appearance since September 20...
Leeds 2-1 Chelsea
21:31 , Arthur Ferridge56mins: Neto streaks into the box and shields Gudmundsson off the ball - a move which the referee has deemed foul play.
Leeds 2-1 Chelsea
21:30 , Arthur Ferridge56mins: It may not be the goal they were after, but that is certainly a warning shot from Leeds if nothing else.
Leeds 2-1 Chelsea
21:29 , Arthur Ferridge54mins: Nmecha has the ball in the back of the net, but the flag is up for offside. Would argue that a couple of fouls were committed in the build-up, too.
Leeds 2-1 Chelsea
21:28 , Arthur Ferridge53mins: Chelsea have livened up, as have their support. And Cole Palmer is warming up.
Leeds 2-1 Chelsea
21:27 , Arthur Ferridge52mins: Delap breaks at goal and shoots into the side netting from a wide angle.
Dom Smith at Elland Road
21:26 , Arthur FerridgeA great Chelsea goal, scored by their man in form, Neto. Gittens does well from Fernandez's ball and hooks in the cross for Neto to control and convert. Chelsea halve the deficit and suddenly they are the team enjoying the majority of possession.
GOAL! Leeds 2-1 Chelsea | Neto '50
21:25 , Arthur FerridgePedro Neto pulls one back for Chelsea! He takes a touch and fires Gittens’ cross home at the back post.
Leeds 2-0 Chelsea
21:23 , Arthur Ferridge49mins: Calvert-Lewin is feeling his oats and fires over with a bicycle kick from close range.
Leeds 2-0 Chelsea
21:22 , Arthur Ferridge48mins: Sanchez does well to deny Nmecha from close range. No improvement whatsoever from the Blues.
Leeds 2-0 Chelsea
21:20 , Arthur Ferridge46mins: Worth mentioning that the previous meeting between these sides ended 3-2 in Chelsea’s favour. Just saying.
2ND HALF: Leeds 2-0 Chelsea
21:19 , Arthur FerridgeBack underway!
CHANGES MADE
21:18 , Arthur FerridgeNo great surprise, but Maresca has shuffled the deck.
Malo Gusto and Pedro Neto replace Benoit Badiashile and Estevao, both of whom were poor at best through the first half.
Dom Smith at Elland Road
21:04 , Arthur FerridgeThe worst half of football of Chelsea's season, perhaps, comes to an end.
HALF-TIME: Leeds 2-0 Chelsea
21:04 , Arthur FerridgeA frankly appalling first-half performance from Chelsea, and a deeply out-of-character one at that. Plenty to be done in the second stanza.
Leeds 2-0 Chelsea
21:02 , Arthur Ferridge45+2mins: Gudmundsson clatters Estevao, and finally the Brazilian gets the sympathetic foul call he’s been waiting so long for.
Leeds 2-0 Chelsea
21:01 , Arthur FerridgeThree added minutes to end the half.
Dom Smith at Elland Road
21:00 , Arthur FerridgeStranger things have happened, and half-time hasn't even arrived yet, but it feels unlikely at this point that Chelsea will recover from this. They've been so far off the pace tonight. 2-0 down now as Enzo Fernandez is punished for losing the ball. Mountain to climb.
Leeds 2-0 Chelsea
21:00 , Arthur Ferridge45mins: Place your bets as to how many half-time subs Maresca makes.
GOAL! Leeds 2-0 Chelsea | Tanaka '43
20:58 , Arthur FerridgeA stunner from Tanaka, and Chelsea trail by two!
Leeds 1-0 Chelsea
20:57 , Arthur Ferridge42mins: Estevao looks patently miserable on the right flank. He’s been completely locked down by Gudmundsson.
Leeds 1-0 Chelsea
20:56 , Arthur Ferridge41mins: The thought occurs that Chelsea won 5-1 when they last wore their black third kit. Does not seem particularly likely that they repeat that scoreline here.
Leeds 1-0 Chelsea
20:54 , Arthur Ferridge39mins: Out of character from Estevao, who is booked for lashing out at Gudmundsson.
Leeds 1-0 Chelsea
20:54 , Arthur Ferridge39mins: Delap goes through into the box and gets an awkward tame shot away - easily saved. Struijk tackles him after the ball has gone and catches Delap awkwardly, but VAR promptly clear him of wrongdoing.
Leeds 1-0 Chelsea
20:52 , Arthur Ferridge37mins: Joao Pedro misses a first touch, just lets the ball roll under his foot. Sums up Chelsea’s performance in this first half.
Dom Smith at Elland Road
20:51 , Arthur FerridgeCompletely needless booking from Stach, with Cucurella's pass heading into touch anyway. Chelsea still have no purchase in this game.
Leeds 1-0 Chelsea
20:51 , Arthur Ferridge35mins: Gudmundsson puts a cross in, but Sanchez collects. He dishes the ball to Cucurella, who is clattered by Stach, who in turn is booked.
Leeds 1-0 Chelsea
20:50 , Arthur Ferridge35mins: Santos gives the ball away far too easily at the back and Stach gets a shot away. It is deflected behind for a corner.
Leeds 1-0 Chelsea
20:48 , Arthur Ferridge33mins: Ampadu comes together with his team-mate Bijol and appears to be in a bit of pain, but will play on.
Leeds 1-0 Chelsea
20:47 , Arthur Ferridge32mins: Estevao squares up to Gudmundson, but is shown to the byline and concedes a goal kick.
Leeds 1-0 Chelsea
20:46 , Arthur Ferridge31mins: Feels as though the majority of the match is being played in Chelsea’s attacking third, but they still are yet to have any properly notable chances.
Leeds 1-0 Chelsea
20:45 , Arthur Ferridge30mins: Nmecha will play on.
Leeds 1-0 Chelsea
20:45 , Arthur Ferridge29mins: Nmecha is down holding his hamstring, providing Maresca the opportunity to dispense some much-needed tactical wisdom to his players.
Leeds 1-0 Chelsea
20:43 , Arthur Ferridge28mins: Gittens attempts a cross, but his ball is tame and loops behind the goal for a goal-kick. Poor from the summer signing.
Leeds 1-0 Chelsea
20:42 , Arthur Ferridge26mins: Estevao cuts in off the right flank and curls one at the opposite post, but his effort is deflected narrowly wide.
Leeds 1-0 Chelsea
20:41 , Arthur Ferridge25mins: Delap throws his weight around in the box and manages to square a ball to the penalty spot, but Bijol clears it away.
Leeds 1-0 Chelsea
20:38 , Arthur Ferridge23mins: Stach spearheads a smart Leeds attack, but Tanaka rather lets the side down with a miss-hit shot at goal.
Dom Smith at Elland Road
20:37 , Arthur FerridgeChelsea starting to have a chance here and there to take the ball wide and carry it forward, but they've still not had as much as a half-chance in this game, and Leeds do not look worried by the threat of the visitors yet. Maresca must be very perplexed by what he's seeing.
Leeds 1-0 Chelsea
20:35 , Arthur Ferridge20mins: Jamie Gittens takes what might honestly be his first touches, and goes nowhere. Chelsea are slowly gaining a foothold here, though.
Leeds 1-0 Chelsea
20:34 , Arthur Ferridge19mins: Tosin’s pass out from the back is cut out, but Chelsea recover and Delap is sent through on goal. He squares for Joao Pedro, but Bijol intercepts.
Leeds 1-0 Chelsea
20:33 , Arthur Ferridge18mins: Nmecha is down in a heap in the centre-circle after coming together with Adarabioyo off the ball.
Leeds 1-0 Chelsea
20:31 , Arthur Ferridge16mins: Struijk heads goalwards from this Leeds corner, but his effort is narrowly wide. Robert Sanchez is apoplectic with his defenders.
Leeds 1-0 Chelsea
20:31 , Arthur Ferridge15mins: Chelsea enjoy a brief attack and Leeds are back in their penalty area before the action replay has ended. Badiashile clears from Calvert-Lewin.
Leeds 1-0 Chelsea
20:28 , Arthur Ferridge13mins: Tanaka gets away down the left flank, but Santos catches him and puts in a smart tackle to stop him in his tracks.
Leeds 1-0 Chelsea
20:26 , Arthur Ferridge11mins: Chelsea are doing what they can to slow the game down here, primarily by knocking it around the back. They really need to settle down, but Badiashile plays a pass straight to the feet of Tanaka, and suddenly Leeds are back on the front foot.
Leeds 1-0 Chelsea
20:24 , Arthur Ferridge9mins: Chelsea are totally at sea. They can barely string passes together at the moment...
Leeds 1-0 Chelsea
20:23 , Arthur Ferridge8mins: Well, far from an ideal start for Chelsea but at least they have plenty of time to respond.
Dom Smith at Elland Road
20:22 , Arthur FerridgeChelsea cannot say they don't deserve to be behind. They do. Bijol heads home from a sixth-minute corner as he gets a run on Chalobah and Delap and outleaps them both. Chelsea needing to come from behind, already.
GOAL! Leeds 1-0 Chelsea | Bijol '6
20:21 , Arthur FerridgeLeeds lead! Bijol heads the hosts in front from a corner with a stunning effort!
Leeds 0-0 Chelsea
20:20 , Arthur Ferridge5mins: A cross in for Calvert-Lewin is headed tamely wide. Fernandez reprimands his team-mates, begging them to wake up.
Leeds 0-0 Chelsea
20:19 , Arthur Ferridge4mins: Chelsea, thus far, are equal to this energetic, high-pressure opening from Leeds. No clear-cut chances for either side as yet.
Leeds 0-0 Chelsea
20:17 , Arthur Ferridge2mins: A lively start from Leeds. Bogle presses Cucurella and forces him into an error before turning to the crowd and calling on them to raise their voices.
KICK-OFF! Leeds 0-0 Chelsea
20:15 , Arthur FerridgeWe are underway at Elland Road!
The players are out...
20:12 , Arthur FerridgeNearly time to go!
Not long to go now
20:05 , Arthur FerridgeTen minutes to kick-off... here’s a reminder of tonight’s XIs.
Leeds: Perri, Bogle, Gudmundsson, Rodon, Bijol, Struijk, Ampadu, Tanaka, Stach, Nmecha, Calvert-Lewin
Chelsea: Sanchez; Chalobah, Tosin, Badiashile, Cucurella; Andrey Santos, Enzo; Estevao, Joao Pedro, Gittens; Delap
Big day for Liam Delap?
20:02 , Arthur FerridgeLiam Delap has been far from free-scoring since his move to Chelsea, but tonight feels like a big chance for him to justify his price tag.
After scoring against Barcelona, he has an opportunity to make a real statement against Leeds here.
Dom Smith at Elland Road
19:59 , Arthur FerridgeLeeds boss Daniel Farke writes in the matchday programme about Chelsea: "They are without doubt one of the best sides in the Premier League this season. I'm sure they will be in the title race until the very end."
Maresca on Leeds
19:55 , Arthur FerridgeIn the opposite dugout, Enzo Maresca appears a little nervous about Leeds’ set-up having watched that second-half performance against Man City.
“I think the second half they did against City was very good. They scored twice and could have scored more. Its normal. It will be a tough game.
On making five changes to his side, he adds: “It is very important we need to be consistent, especially in this part of the season. Five changes is an important number, but the ones we left out, we needed to do that.”
Farke on formations
19:50 , Arthur FerridgeLeeds look to be in a back five here. What advantage does that give Daniel Farke?
None, he says. His principles are unchanged: “I am addicted to principles. We never change our principles, but it is important to be flexible.
“Last season we didn’t need to change too much, but as a promoted side you need to be flexible. After a terrific second half against Man City, it would be crazy not to try again.
“We are not playing for compliments. We want to win points. We need to translate [good performances] into points.”
What's going on outside Elland Road tonight?
19:43 , Arthur FerridgeAs is standard fare for a Wednesday night Premier League match, Red Bull are staging motorbike trials outside Elland Road.
Because of course they are. Why shouldn’t they be?
Why is Chelsea vs Leeds a rivalry?
19:40 , Arthur FerridgeCast your mind back, dear reader, to the heady days of 1970.
Norman Greenbaum’s ‘Spirit in the Sky’ is top of the charts, Harold Wilson is Prime Minister, and Chelsea are facing Leeds in the FA Cup final.
A thrilling affair at the old Wembley Stadium finished 2-2 after extra time, and a replay was booked at Old Trafford.
Leeds opened the scoring through Michael Jones, but a late equaliser from Peter Osgood forced another period of extra time, where David Webb scored the all-important winner for the Blues.
The match is remembered as one of the most physical of its era.
Does the animosity remain? We will see shortly...
Maresca on whether Chelsea are title contenders
19:35 , Arthur FerridgeEnzo Maresca is not keen to talk about Chelsea as title contenders.
Not until the new year, anyway.
Here’s what he had to say when asked why he was so shy to talk about his silverware aspirations: “I was here last year. The first game I think we lost was [Boxing Day] against Fulham at home. [After] Fulham, we started to drop some points.
“But not only for Chelsea, I think it's [a] complicated [month] for any team, especially for the ones that could also have European competition because you play every three days.
“But the teams that are able to be consistent in December, in January, are the teams that go in for [it] very much. They're going to be there for the title.
“That's why now the main focus is trying to be consistent in the next month. And then after that, if we are there [near the top], we want to be there and we compete in case we're going to set different targets.”
Chelsea must end strange hoodoo to prove title credentials
19:26 , Arthur FerridgeEnzo Maresca was in a rather jovial mood on Tuesday, cracking the odd joke at his press conference and even asking reporters for their own prediction on one of life’s great questions: whether Leeds will play a back four or a back five for Chelsea’s trip to Elland Road tonight, writes Standard Sport’s Dom Smith.
More revealing, though, will be whether he is still all smiles when December gives way to the New Year. This next month will tell us an awful lot about whether Chelsea are likely to go the distance in a title race. Maresca said it himself.
Leeds away signals the start an unforgiving period of eight matches in December alone, and Chelsea will play the same number of games in January, too.
The mood around Cobham is unsurprisingly buoyant of late, following four wins, four clean sheets and two draws from the last six matches and uplifting results against Barcelona, demolished at Stamford Bridge, and Arsenal, held by Maresca’s courageous ten men.
But the step over the threshold into December comes with historic baggage and plenty of precedent for an unwanted halting of the Blues’ momentum.
The curious case of Facundo Buonanotte
19:20 , Arthur FerridgeMuch has been made of Facundo Buonanotte ahead of this match.
The Argentine was due to join Leeds on loan this summer, but his move was hijacked by the Blues at the eleventh hour.
He made a handful of appearances earlier in the season, but has not appeared in a matchday squad for several weeks now.
He is not in the squad today, either.
Where in the world is Facundo Buonanotte?
A Chelsea reunion
19:13 , Arthur FerridgeFormer Chelsea player Ethan Ampadu gets the nod for Leeds.
He spent six years with the Blues between 2017 and 2013, serving a handful of loan spells around Europe in that time.
The Wales international did, however, pick up both FA Cup and Europa League winners’ medals in his stay at Stamford Bridge.
Dom Smith at Elland Road
19:07 , Arthur FerridgePlenty of change in the Chelsea line-up, including Badiashile into the team and Palmer again starting on the bench so not making his return from the start. My understanding is that the absence Wesley Fofana is the same as against Nottingham Forest and Burnley: managing minutes. No injury.
LEEDS CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS
19:02 , Arthur FerridgeAnd here are your hosts.
Leeds starting XI: Perri, Bogle, Gudmundsson, Rodon, Bijol, Struijk, Ampadu, Tanaka, Stach, Nmecha, Calvert-Lewin
Subs: Darlow, Justin, Bornauw, Gruev, Harrison, Aaronson, Gnonto, Okafor, Piroe
CHELSEA CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS
19:00 , Arthur FerridgeEnzo Maresca names his side to face Leeds.
Chelsea starting XI: Sanchez; Chalobah, Tosin, Badiashile, Cucurella; Andrey Santos, Enzo; Estevao, Joao Pedro, Gittens; Delap
Subs: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Gusto, James, Hato, Neto, Garnacho, Palmer, Guiu
Dom Smith's predicted Chelsea XI
18:52 , Arthur FerridgeHere’s how Standard Sport’s Dom Smith reckons the Blues will line up at Elland Road tonight.
We will find out how good that prediction is on the hour...
Chelsea predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Santos, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Delap
The Chelsea squad
18:42 , Arthur FerridgeTwo big conundrums for Chelsea tonight.
The first is how to deal with Moises Caicedo’s suspension. The Blues have struggled massively without him at times this season, but now face three Premier League games without his services.
Odds are Enzo Fernandez will drop in, with Andrey Santos joining him at the base of midfield. Let’s see how they fare...
The second question which needs answering is that of how big a role Cole Palmer can play tonight. We know he is fit to start, but will he?
What kit are Chelsea wearing tonight?
18:35 , Arthur FerridgeWhile we’re reminiscing on old Chelsea kits, it would be worth pointing out that the Blues will don their retro third strip tonight - last seen when they visited West Ham and came away with a 5-1 win.
A similar result tonight would do nicely for Enzo Maresca.
Last time out
18:27 , Arthur FerridgeChelsea recorded a narrow 3-2 win when they last faced Leeds in an FA Cup clash back in February 2024.
Conor Gallagher was the hero of the day, firing home in the 92nd minute to secure the Blues’ progression.
Who else was on the scoresheet for Chelsea that day, you ask? None other than Nicolas Jackson and Mykhailo Mudryk. Remember him?
Raheem Sterling started too... remember him?
Mateo Joseph bagged a brace for Leeds to keep the Blues honest. The 22-year-old now plies his trade on loan at Mallorca, though, so will not be present at Elland Road tonight.
How smart was this Chelsea strip, by the way?
Daniel Farke skating on thin ice
18:20 , Arthur FerridgeResult dependent, tonight’s match may well be the last of the Daniel Farke era.
According to a report from Sky Sports, Farke could face some awkward conversations with the board if four consecutive losses becomes five tonight.
Leeds’ higher ups are understandably said to be concerned by the club’s poor form, though they are buoyed somewhat by the side’s performance in the weekend’s 3-2 loss to City.
But eye test aside, Leeds still sit in the relegation zone. Farke needs a good result tonight.
Leeds vs Chelsea head to head
18:12 , Arthur FerridgeLeeds produced a 5-0 drubbing when they first faced Chelsea back in 1927, but recent results have been more favourable for the Londoners, who have been beaten by the Whites only once since 2003.
Leeds wins: 40
Chelsea wins: 39
Draws: 30
Standard Sport prediction
18:05 , Arthur FerridgeLeeds are in the midst of a grim run and will face another tough test here.
Recent defeats to Brighton, Nottingham Forest, and Aston Villa left Leeds reeling, but it remains to be seen how they will react to Foden’s suckerpunch winner from Saturday.
Chelsea may not be quite at full bore as they look to work around Caicedo’s suspension, but Andrey Santos has already proven himself a perfectly capable deputy.
After taking the fight to Arsenal and Barcelona in recent outings, this should prove a routine trip for Maresca’s men.
Chelsea to win 2-0
Leeds early team news: Injuries Stach-ing up
18:00 , Arthur FerridgeExcuse the pun.
Leeds are without a handful of first-team players, with Sean Longstaff already ruled out until the new year. He is joined in the physio’s room by Sebastiaan Bornauw and Daniel James.
Anton Stach is due back, though, having recovered from a concussion, as is James Justin, who has shaken off a knock picked up against Man City.
Chelsea early team news: Caicedo suspended but Palmer returns
17:56 , Arthur FerridgeCole Palmer is pushing to make a return to Chelsea’s starting line-up after he was named to the matchday squad for the Arsenal draw but did not appear.
A midfield shuffle is likely in order for the Blues with Caicedo suspended. Andrey Santos is expected to slot in at the base of midfield, though Maresca has also suggested that natural centre-back Josh Acheampong could also deputise for the Ecuadorian.
Reece James is not expected to start after he played the full 90 minutes against Arsenal - Maresca is continuing to manage his minutes.
Romeo Lavia remains sidelined, as does Dario Essugo, who returned to training last week but has since suffered a setback. Levi Colwill is unavailable as he recovers from ACL surgery.
How to watch Leeds vs Chelsea
17:51 , Arthur FerridgeTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting at 6.30pm GMT ahead of an 8.15pm kick-off.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Dom Smith at the ground.
Free highlights: The Sky Sports app and YouTube channel will show highlights shortly after full-time, with Match of the Day broadcasting on BBC One at 10.40pm.
Click here to read the full blog on The The Standard's website
