Another clash between a Premier League team against one of the Premiership leaders will take place in London. Chelsea took part in the English League Cup final on Sunday evening. The players played 120 minutes on the Wembley pitch and left disappointed. Before the final whistle and the approaching penalty shootout, the Blues conceded the only and decisive goal of the match. That is, in addition to fatigue, Chelsea players will go to the match 1/8 finals of the FA Cup in a bad mood. Prior to the current stage, the London team has played in the tournament twice. In the 1/32 final, the "blues" undone with Preston, scoring in his goal four unanswered goals. At the last stage of the FA Cup Chelsea arranged a two-match confrontation with Aston Villa. In London, the teams parted in peace (0:0), and in Birmingham the capital team was unexpectedly stronger than Unai Emery's team (3:1). Leeds United spent their matches of the current tournament in roughly the same scenario. First "white" away defeated Peterborough United (3:0), and then brought the rivalry with Plymouth to extra time replay, where they scored three unanswered goals to less sophisticated team. Bookmakers have identified the home team as favourites for the upcoming meeting, offering odds of 1.53 on their victory.

Chelsea in the current season is its full reflection of the failed pattern of the last football year. The only difference is that now the eleventh place of the Blues in the Premier League is perceived rather mundane. Over the past ten days, the already unstrengthened capital team has survived two serious tests in the face of Manchester City and Liverpool. Their results showed that Pochettino's wards are able to fight honourably with the leaders of English football, but they still do not have the class to achieve outstanding results.

Leeds United is knocked out of the list of Chelsea's latest opponents, but the "white" two years ago occupied the Premier League about the same places as now the London club. At the moment Leeds share second place in the Championship with Ipswich Town, giving the impression of a clear contender for a return to the elite division. Most likely, the rivals will exchange goals at Stamford Bridge.