Chelsea will be looking to go top of the Premier League on Saturday when they welcome Leeds United to Stamford Bridge in this weekend’s Saturday evening kick off.
It’s fair to say it took Chelsea a little time to click in to gear this season after an influx of high-profile summer signings, but the Blues appear to have found their rhythm recently under Frank Lampard after a run of seven wins in the last eight games in all competitions.
In fact, Chelsea haven’t lost a game inside 90 minutes since September and comfortably swept aside Sevilla 0-4 in the Champions League midweek with striker Olivier Giroud bagging all four goals.
The Frenchman’s brilliant display – which saw him score with his left foot, right foot, head and from the penalty spot – may give Lampard some food for thought as to whether to start Giroud ahead of the visit of Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United.
Leeds are 12th in the Premier League table, but such is the congested nature of the league so far this season, 3 points at Stamford Bridge – which they are perfectly capable of – would see them within touching distance of the top six.
However, the Whites don’t tend to perform well in London, having won just once in their last 21 visits to the capital.
Further to this, Chelsea’s record against promoted sides is formidable – their 68 wins in 83 matches against promoted teams is the best of any side in the Premier League era.
Frank Lampard has a fresh enough squad to pick from too, with several Blues players rested against Sevilla.
That includes Ben Chilwell, who concerningly rolled his ankle against Spurs in the last Premier League contest but is expected to be available against Leeds.
Marcelo Bielsa meanwhile will be without Pablo Hernandez and Adam Forshaw, but Jack Harrison and Diego Llorente are expected to return to the fold.
Leeds may opt to start with Patrick Bamford up front – the Chelsea academy graduate, who never played a league game for the Blues, is the Whites’ top scorer this season.
Chelsea v Leeds United kicks off at 8pm on Saturday 5th December.
