Chelsea v Leeds Betting Preview and Team Lineups

Chelsea take on Leeds in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night with both teams vying for a place in the fourth round.

Chelsea saw off Luton in Xabi Alonso’s first match at Stamford Bridge in the previous round, running out 2-0 winners.

Leeds won by the same scoreline at Nottingham Forest, with goals from Daniel James and James Justin in the second half.

Chelsea expected team line up

Chelsea will be without Moises Caicedo, Marco Palestra and Jordan Henderson for the clash, but have no other fresh injury concerns after the game at Arsenal.

Expect a shuffled lineup as Alonso gives time to some players that have not featured much in the league. Danny Welbeck led the line against Luton in the last round, scoring the opener.

The veteran striker is likely to replace Joao Pedro up top again. Alonso played Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, and Estevao in support of Welbeck against Luton, but could bnring in Pedro Neto or Jamie Gittens to start this time.

The Spaniard will likely play the same formation, a 3-4-2-1 with Pep Chavarria and Malo Gusto favoured as the wing-backs. Mike Penders should start again in goal, with the young Belgian keeping a clean sheet against Luton on his debut in the last round.

Valentin Barco should also start again having made his full debut against Luton. The Argentine did not receive the warmest of reception from the home fans after his antics against England during the World Cup, but put in a good performance.

Chelsea (3-4-1-2): Penders, Colwill, Acheampong, Lacroix, Chavarria, Gusto, Barco, Lavia, Estevao, Neto, Welbeck.

Estevao has fine scoring record in cup

Welbeck is 9/2 to open the scoring again and looks a better bet than market favourite Joao Pedro who is likely to be rested.

Estevao came off the bench against Arsenal and looked lively as he forced a decent save from David Raya. He could be the value pick to bag the opener at 13/2. He has scored six of his eight goals in cup competitions for Chelsea so far.

If Pedro Neto plays in a more advanced role, he also looks decent value at 11/1.

Recommended bet: Estevao to score first (13/2)

Low scoring Leeds affair anticipated again

Bookies are pricing over 2.5 goals at short odds of around 4/7. Chelsea’s attack had been firing well before the Arsenal match, but with changes expected, that price looks too short.

No Leeds match this season has had more than 2.5 goals. It could be a similar scenario to the FA Cup semi-final in April, when Chelsea won 1-0.

The 1-0 scoreline is 8/1 with under 2.5 goals available at 6/4.

Recommended bet: Under 2.5 Goals (6/4)