Leeds vs Chelsea - Predicted Line Ups & Match Preview

Elland Road Date: Wednesday, 19 December Kick Off: 19:45 GMT

Team News

Leeds goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown is hoping to be fit for the visit of the current European Champions to Elland Road, in spite of a minor injury. Winger Jerome Thomas and captain Lee Peltier meanwhile are still struggling for match fitness. Chelsea forward Daniel Sturridge has recovered from a hamstring injury, but this game might come too soon. The visitors are without a host of first team regulars; John Obi Mikel, Gary Cahill and Ramires are all suspended, whilst John Terry is still out with a long term knee injury.

Match Preview

Leeds manager Neil Warnock looks set to resume a five year old feud with new Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez in the Quarter Final of the Capital One Cup tonight. In 2007, with a Champions League final against AC Milan looming, the then Liverpool manager opted to rest the majority of his XI for a League game aginst Fulham, which the cottagers won 1-0. That result helped to condemn Warnock's Sheffield United to relegation that year, and the Englishman went on to accuse the Spaniard of undermining the integrity of the Premier League. Apparently angered by the accusation, Benitez then threatened Warnock with legal action via an email. €œThe last time I heard from Rafa he was threatening to sue me in an email if I mentioned it again,€ Warnock told The Telegraph.

€œEnough water€™s passed under the bridge. It€™s one of those things that disappoints you in life and you have to get on with it. You get disappointments in every walk of life and I€™ve made my feelings clear over the last few years and nothing will change that. €œI€™m not sure if it was him who sent the email, it had his name on. I think it was his solicitor who was threatening legal action, I€™ve got it in a scrapbook at home.€

Added to that is an underlying rivalry between these two sides that was at its most prominent in the 1970's, though these two sides have not met for nine years when they last fought out a 1-1 draw. That result put things in perspective for both sides as it kept the Blues at the top of the Premier League and consigned Leeds to the bottom. Chelsea though only returned to London on Monday afternoon after a 6,000-mile flight from Japan, so it remains to be seen how strong a side Benitez can put out tonight.

Stats a Fact

Leeds are making their first appearance in the quarter-finals since finishing runners-up in 1995-96. Chelsea have never lost to Leeds in cup competition, managing seven wins and four draws.

Likely Line-ups

Leeds Ashdown, Drury, Lees, Pearce, Kisnorbo, Green, Austin, Pugh, Brown, Varney, Becchio Chelsea Cech, Cole, Bertrand, Luiz, Azpilicueta, Romeu, Marin, Oscar, Moses, Hazard, Torres Team News and Stats courtesy of the BBC.