Leeds United and Chelsea have a chequered mutual history which includes the infamous 1970 FA Cup Final, remembered as both one of the great English finals and a remarkable spectacle, but often recalled just as much for it’s brutality.
Leeds United vs. Chelsea, 2012 Capital One Cup Quarter-Final: Team news and TV schedule
Chelsea will attempt to recover from their woes in the Club World Cup by grabbing a win at Championship side Leeds United.
This time round, it appears to be the managers who are making the headlines for all the wrong reasons. While Rafael Benitez's struggles at the helm of Chelsea are well-documented, Leeds boss Neil Warnock spent the build-up of the game openly wondering whether to shake hands with him, still embittered from the Spaniard's time in charge of Liverpool, when (according to Warnock) his fielding of a weakened team on the last day of the season caused Warnock's Sheffield United to be relegated.
On more important matters on the pitch, Chelsea are on paper the vastly superior side, with Leeds United not even being particularly great by Championship standards. But although Leeds have had little luck as a cup team in recent seasons, they do have that famous 1-0 victory at Old Trafford from when they were still in League One, and Chelsea's recent performances have hardly inspired great confidence.
Leeds United suspensions and injuries
Out: Alan Tate (cup-tied), Leigh Bromby (knee), Rodolph Austin (broken leg), Davide Somma (knee), Ramon Nunez (cruciate ligament). In doubt: Jerome Thomas, Lee Peltier.
Chelsea suspensions and injuries
Out: John Obi Mikel (suspended), Ramires (suspended), Gary Cahill (suspended), Oriol Romeu (knee), John Terry (knee). In doubt: Daniel Sturridge (hamstring).
Leeds United will be without the cup-tied Alan Tate and will be waiting on the fitness of Jerome Thomas and Lee Peltier. Thomas gave a man-of-the-match display in Leeds’ 2-0 victory over Ipswich on Monday, but has been struggling with fitness and may not start the game. The home side will also be without Leigh Bromby, Rodolph Austin, Davide Somma, and Ramon Nunez, all of whom are nursing serious, long-term injuries.
Daniel Sturridge is a doubt for Chelsea as he returns from a hamstring injury, but Gary Cahill, Ramires, and John Obi Mikel are all suspended for the Blues. Rafael Benitez does not expect Oriol Romeu to return before the end of the season and has not given a date on John Terry's return.
Match Date\Time: Wednesday, 7:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Elland Road, Leeds, England
TV: beIN Sport (U.S. English), beIN Sport en Espanol (U.S. Spanish), Sky Sports 1 (U.K.)
See More:
