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2012-12-19 - Leeds United vs Chelsea
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Capital One Cup
Wednesday 19 December 2012 - Kick Off 7:45pm
This game is live on TV
Leeds United
This is one of the prominent fixtures of the 1970's which has retained the dislike between the clubs, one that should be clear to all on Wednesday evening. Another talking point is how Neil Warnock is going to react to Rafa Benitez, someone he said he would 'never forgive' for playing a weakened side that helped send Sheffield United down in the 2007 Premier League season.
Leeds United fans won't be worried about Warnock's feelings, but instead will want to ensure their first clash against Chelsea for eight years is a memorable one. The club's main goal this season is to earn promotion back to the Premier League, but the Cup run in this competition has been impressive. Leeds have a 6-2-3 record at home this season in the League, and have knocked out Premier League Everton and Southampton here this season.
The side had lost 3 in a row in the League, but have managed to get themselves going again and Leeds have won 4 of their last 5 games in the Championship. Leeds have won their last 3 home games, including a 2-0 win over Ipswich Town on Saturday, and they have won 4 of their last 5 in all competitions. However, the one exception in that run was a shocking 1-6 loss against Watford.
Jamie Ashdown should be able to play in goal for the home side despite having a knock to deal with. Jerome Thomas and Lee Peltier are unlikely to be available while Alan Tate is cup-tied.
Chelsea
There have been a lot of changes at Stamford Bridge since winning the Champions League, but the only consistency is the fact that they have lost out on some of their goals for the new season and we haven't reached Christmas. The Champions League defence is over at the fastest stage since the Groups were set up, the European Super Cup saw Chelsea lost 1-4 to Atletico Madrid and they became the first Champions League winner to NOT win the World Club Championship since 2006.
The Premier League also looks a step too far for Chelsea with a 13 point deficit to make up on Manchester United and that has only increased the importance of the Capital One Cup. Chelsea are by far and away the biggest team left in the competition so the pressure will be on them to take this trophy home. They have a 4-2-2 away record in the Premier League, although this will be their first game away from home in this competition.
Chelsea's biggest concern could be getting over the jet lag that they are surely going to be dealing with having just returned from Japan on Monday and having 2 days to acclimatise back to British time. They had won 3 games in a row in all competitions before being wasteful in the World Club Cup Final and losing 1-0 to Corinthians. Chelsea had lost 4 of their last 5 away games in all competitions before beating Sunderland 1-3 at the Stadium of Light a couple of weeks ago.
Rafa Benitez is likely to make some changes to his side to keep them fresh and also will likely be watching how they have recovered from the long flight home. Ramires, Gary Cahill and Jon Mikel Obi are all suspended and will definitely be missing. Daniel Sturridge won't be risked on his return to injury with a busy Christmas period starting from Sunday.
Head to Head
These two old rivals last met in the 2003/04 season when Chelsea beat Leeds United 1-0 at Stamford Bridge following a 1-1 draw at Elland Road in the Premier League.
Chelsea have only won 1 of their last 5 visits to Leeds, while Leeds have only won 2 of their last 6 home games against their visitors.
Prediction
This is a tough game to predict as we just don't know how Chelsea will have recovered from their games in Japan. However, I think they look a pretty big price despite the potential jet lag and I think the importance of winning a trophy will ensure that Rafa Benitez will play a strong team.
Leeds United have the potential for an upset having beaten Everton and Southampton, but they were also comfortably brushed aside by Manchester United here last season and I think Chelsea are more likely to end with a result like the latter than the former two sides.
As I said, it is a tough game to call, but I am going to back Chelsea to win a game which has a few goals scored in it and progress through the Semi Final where they will be big favourites to win the whole competition.
The Pick :
Leeds United 1-3 Chelsea
