Leeds vs Chelsea LIVE commentary and team news: Marcelo Bielsa and Thomas Tuchel do battle in Premier League

Old rivals do battle once again on Saturday as Leeds welcome Chelsea to Elland Road for the first time in nearly a decade – live on talkSPORT.

The Blues have only played at the Yorkshire ground once in the last 18 years and the historic ill-feeling between the two clubs has cooled over that time.

But it should nevertheless be an entertaining game between two teams known for their high-energy, as Leeds look to stop the rot against a Chelsea side who haven’t lost under new manager Thomas Tuchel.

Marcelo Bielsa’s men have suffered four defeats in their last five games, while the Blues have won eight of their 11 matches under Tuchel, drawing the other three.

Leeds vs Chelsea: How to listen

The match will kick off at 12:30pm on Saturday at Elland Road.

Our coverage will be presented by Reshmin Chowdhury, with commentary from Sam Matterface and Trevor Sinclair.

To tune in, click the radio player below or HERE for the live stream.

Here are the other ways to listen…

App iPhone – Download from the Apple store

Android – Download from Google Play

Radio – talkSPORT is available across the United Kingdom via DAB digital radio and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

TV – Listen to talkSPORT through your TV on the following channels: Sky: Channel 0108 Virgin Media: Channel 927 Freeview: Channel 723 Freesat: Channel 731

Leeds vs Chelsea: Team news

Leeds will be without Robin Koch (knee), Pascal Struijk (knock), Pablo Hernandez (muscle) and Adam Forshaw (groin).

Tammy Abraham has battled a niggling ankle issue since hobbling out of Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Newcastle at Stamford Bridge on February 15.

The 23-year-old has made five appearances since that initial problem, but failed to complete Chelsea training on Thursday and will now miss the trip to Leeds.

Brazil defender Thiago Silva has suffered a minor recurrence of his prior thigh problem, so will also miss out too.

Leeds vs Chelsea: What’s been said

Leeds boss Bielsa: “In general lines, our offensive performances are positive because we create danger.

“The opposite happens in the defensive half.

“All of our individual players from defensive midfielder down have good performances, but despite this we concede a lot of goals.

“In the three aspects I tell you – possession danger, danger efficiency and good individual performances and defensive output – they are all within the things I manage and haven’t been able to resolve. Especially with the subject of receiving so many goals.”

Chelsea boss Tuchel: “We have the perfect size of squad. The only thing I’m missing is the possibility of five substitutes to use more players because for many years it has been a concern of mine.

“This is the only regret because I have players I would normally like to reward for their effort and attitude, but the size of the squad is actually perfect.”

Tuchel is getting the best out of his Chelsea players

Leeds vs Chelsea: Match stats and facts

Leeds have lost just one of their last nine Premier League home games against Chelsea (W5 D3), with this the first such meeting since a 1-1 draw in December 2003.
Chelsea are looking to secure their first league double over Leeds since the 1988-89 campaign in the second tier, while the Blues last won home and away against Leeds in the same top-flight season back in 1936-37.
Of the 48 opponents Chelsea have faced away from home at least 15 times in all competitions, the Blues’ lowest win rate is against Leeds (14% – P49 W7 D14 L28).
Leeds have lost consecutive Premier League games for the fifth time this season, though they’re yet to lose three in a row so far. They last lost three consecutive league games in November 2017.
Leeds have conceded a league-high 29 goals in the first half of Premier League games this season – four more than Chelsea have conceded in total this term. However, 61% of Chelsea’s league goals this season have come after half-time (27/44), with only Newcastle and Sheffield United netting a higher share in the second half.
Chelsea have won five of their six away games in all competitions under Thomas Tuchel so far (D1), having lost four of their last five under Frank Lampard (W1).
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is unbeaten in his nine Premier League games so far – only Maurizio Sarri (12) and Frank Clark (11) have had longer runs without defeat from the start of their Premier League careers.

from Football - news, transfers, fixtures, scores, pictures https://ift.tt/3rHsTCU
via IFTTT