CHELSEA'S ‘billion pound bottle jobs' must lick their wounds for Wednesday's FA Cup fifth round tie against an in-form Leeds United side currently flying high in the Championship.
The Blues were on the end of stinging criticism after their ruinously expensively-assembled squad were beaten by a Liverpool team full of kids after extra time in the Carabao Cup Final. with Gary Neville leading the abuse on Sky.
It was the latest setback on another hugely underachieving season from the big-spending London club who are currently sit in a frankly disgraceful bottom half 11th place in the Premier League.
And playing an on-fire Leeds, backed by 5,366 of their fans – which is a reduced allocation because of the high risk nature of the game – has danger written all over it.
There's a great history behind the fixture with their notorious meeting in the 1970 FA Cup Final replay going down in football history as one of the dirtiest ever played. It was recently re-refereed by Michael Oliver, who ruled he would have shown a total of 11 red cards if it had been played today!
Back to the present and Leeds are on a terrific run and have won ten and drawn twice in 90 minutes in their last 12 games to put them in the promotion places.
How the bookies view it
Chelsea are strong odds-on favourites here at 4/7 with bet365.
Leeds United can be backed at 5/1 with Betfred and the draw is 10/3 with Paddy Power.
Recent head to heads
Last season when Leeds were in the top flight it was a home win apiece. Chelsea have won the last six meetings at Stamford Bridge and Leeds haven't won in west London this century – the last win was in 1999.
Players to watch
Cole Palmer is one of the few Chelsea players who can claim to have enjoyed a fine season with ten league goals so far. He is 7/5 to score anytime with Paddy Power.
Crysencio Summerville averages a goal almost every other game for Leeds with 16 goals in 33 appearances. He is a big price of 4/1 to score anytime with UniBet.
Anything else catch the eye?
It would take a brave man to steam in to Chelsea at these prices and with Leeds carrying all the momentum and the hosts deflated after Sunday's Wembley defeat, go for the Leeds double chance of a draw or a win at 6/4 with Paddy Power.
Chelsea do have it in them to put on a performance and they managed it when fellow Championship side Middlesbrough were taken apart in the Carabia Cup semi-final in a 6-1 win, but Daniel Farke looks to be building a very decent squad in Yorkshire and a trip to the capital won't hold any fears.
There should be a cracking atmosphere and a feisty one – go for over 4.5 cards with Paddy Power again at 23/20.
This FA Cup match between Chelsea and Leeds United will be played on Feb 28, 2024 and kick off at 19:30. Check below for our tipsters best Chelsea vs Leeds United prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.