Leeds eager to end four-game losing run as Chelsea clash looms.
Leeds vs. Chelsea kicks off at 20:15 [GMT] on Wednesday, December 3, at Elland Road.
Following a 3-2 loss to Manchester City at the weekend, Leeds United host Chelsea at Elland Road. History gives Chelsea a slight edge overall, but their record in this particular stadium tells a very different story. Leeds have struggled against Chelsea in recent seasons, winning just one of their last nine Premier League meetings (D2 L6). Interestingly, that one victory came at Elland Road in August 2022, a convincing 3–0 win. Yet historically, Elland Road has always been a difficult venue for Chelsea. The Blues have won only six of their 48 league visits, a 12.5% success rate — one of their worst away returns against any long-term top-flight club. Leeds’ home form presents another concern. They have lost two of their last three Premier League games at Elland Road, almost matching the total number of home defeats from their previous 49 league matches combined (just three). Their attacking numbers also paint a split picture: five of their seven home league goals this season have come in the first half. They convert 10% of their first-half shots, but that drops sharply to under 5% after the break, indicating a decline in sharpness and energy as games progress. In addition, Leeds have won just one of their last 12 Premier League midweek fixtures, with their only victory coming against Nottingham Forest in April 2023. They will be hoping to end the midweek blues in an attempt to put an end to a four-game losing run [WLLLL]. A 4—3—3 formation with Nmecha, Okafor and Aaronson in attack is expected against the Blues.
Chelsea’s midweek record is far stronger—they’ve lost only two of their last 17 evening league kick-offs, making them far more comfortable under floodlights. Chelsea’s December form last season was also shaky — they lost two league matches in the final month of 2024, falling to Fulham and Ipswich. They have not had a longer December losing run since the early 1990s, a stretch that included a defeat at Elland Road. Manager Enzo Maresca also arrives with his own history against Leeds, having lost both league meetings with them last season during his Championship spell with Leicester. However, Daniel Farke hasn’t fared much better in this fixture historically. He has lost all three of his Premier League games against Chelsea by an aggregate of 11–2 during his Norwich tenure, including a heavy 7–0 defeat. A 4—2—3—1 formation with João Pedro in attack is expected against newly promoted Leeds. Moisés Caicedo was shown a red card in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal and suspended for three games.