Leeds United will be hoping to continue their unbeaten Premier League start on Sunday, as they welcome Chelsea to Elland Road this weekend.
Jesse Marsch's side have started their 2022/23 Premier League campaign strongly, following their opening day win over Wolves and subsequent draw with Southampton last weekend. But lessons will have to be learned from the clash at St. Mary's, with Leeds blowing a two-goal lead in the final 30 minutes of the game.
United will be without Junior Firpo, Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas against Chelsea, with Patrick Bamford and Liam Cooper both doubtful through injury, so in-form Rodrigo is set to start up front against the Blues on Sunday. New signing Luis Sinisterra is also pushing for a start having come off the bench late on against the Saints.
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So, what will the lineups be? And, what will the final score be between Leeds and Chelsea? We simulated the game to find out!
Leeds United vs Chelsea score predicted by simulation
To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 22 and updated the squads with the latest transfers. Due to FIFA 22 not having the latest kits, both sides lined up in the kits for the 2021/22 season.
We predict that Leeds could set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Meslier; Kristensen, Llorente, Koch, Strujik; Adams, Roca; James, Aaronson, Harrison; Rodrigo.
We predict that Tuchel's side could set up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, with their line-up as follows: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Silva, Koulibaly; James, Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, Cucurella; Mount; Havertz, Sterling.
Leeds started strongly at Elland Road, with the Whites troubling Chelsea on multiple occasions. But, despite getting into these dangerous positions, nothing came from it, and it was Chelsea who eventually took the lead.
Marc Cucurella worked the ball down the left before finding Mason Mount on the edge of the box, and with time, the Englishman picked out the run of Kai Havertz into the area. Under pressure, the German snapped at his shot, squeezing it past the 'keeper at his near post to take the lead.
The game was extremely open, with both sides creating chances and causing problems at each end of the pitch. Leeds had a handful of opportunities before the break, with the best falling to Rodrigo.
On the stroke of halftime, Aaronson found Rodrigo inside the box who peeled away from his marker, and the Spaniard found himself one-on-one with the 'keeper. Rodrigo took aim for the far corner of the net, but his shot was saved, and Leeds remained behind.
As the second half went on, Leeds got more desperate in attack. Sinisterra was introduced which caused problems on the wing for the visitors, but Marsch's side were poor in front of goal, missing glorious chances.
As the Whites poured forward in the 90th minute, they got caught on the break, and Chelsea capitalised by grabbing their second. Hakim Ziyech found the net from long range, confirming the three points for Chelsea.
FIFA 22 score prediction: Leeds United 0-2 Chelsea
Here are the full-time match stats.
FIFA 22 predicts that Leeds could go toe-to-toe with Chelsea on Sunday, but a lack of quality in front of goal saw Leeds fall to a 2-0 defeat. Marsch's side had as many chances as the Blues, but the absence of Bamford saw plenty of good chances pass by.
What do you think the score will be for Leeds on Sunday? Let us know in the comments!
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