Chris Sutton has made his pre-match prediction for Chelsea against Leeds United on Wednesday night.
The Blues host rivals Leeds tomorrow evening in a really important FA Cup fifth round tie.
For Mauricio Pochettino’s side, they’re firmly under the spotlight after losing Sunday’s League Cup final versus Liverpool.
There’s extra importance on the domestic cups this season without European football, especially because the team’s league form means they’re currently 11th in the division table.
If Chelsea lose in midweek at home to Championship club Leeds, we’re very concerned about the backlash from supporters.
BBC pundit Chris Sutton has predicted Chelsea to bounce back with a win in midweek. He’s suggested that visitors Leeds could make wholesale changes to their side because they’re focussing on a dramatic promotion battle in the second tier.
“Chelsea really need to win this, after the way they lost the Carabao Cup final on Sunday. It was their display in extra-time that let them down against Liverpool’s kids, when they had the chance to really have a go at them,” Sutton told BBC Sport.
“Leeds are going very well under Farke but he might prioritise their promotion bid over this tie.
“I hope he doesn’t, but this is one of the rare occasions where I would understand if he makes some changes, because of how tight it is at the top of the Championship – they have got Ipswich and Southampton breathing down their necks, but will also feel like they can catch Leicester.
“It is really unfortunate, because otherwise Leeds could have a real go at this. The pressure is all on Chelsea and, if they don’t win, it is really going to mount on their manager Mauricio Pochettino.
“I remember being part of a Chelsea team that lost 2-0 to Leeds at Stamford Bridge in the year I was there – thinking back, it was probably largely down to me. I’m going with the same scoreline again, but a home win this time.
“Sutton’s prediction: 2-0.”
Chelsea vs Leeds
How many fresh legs will come into the Blues XI tomorrow against Leeds?
The Chelsea Chronicle has predicted the starting line-up that Pochettino will pick in midweek, which includes four changes from the cup final.
Our worry is Leeds will smell blood and pounce on Chelsea’s if they’re showing nerves. It promises to be an interesting atmosphere inside Stamford Bridge…
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