please log in to view this image Leeds United v Chelsea Sunday 21st August at 14:00 hrs | Elland Road Patrick Bamford, Joe Gelhardt, Luis Sinisterra, Liam Cooper and Adam Forshaw all face a race against time to be fit for the visit of Chelsea on Sunday. The quintet would certainly add both firepower, and experience to their squad when they need it most, especially when considering Chelsea's strength in depth. With five games over a two-week period, Leeds gaffer Jesse Marsch didn't want to take any chances with injury, so when Patrick Bamford picked up a knock at St Mary's, he was hauled off. Unfortunately for Leeds, fellow striker Joe Gelhardt had suffered a dead leg in training, and with the busy schedule ahead of them, it was decided that the 20yo shouldn't make the trip down to the South Coast last weekend. Captain Liam Cooper is in a similar position. He missed the whole of pre-season with an Achilles injury, and although he returned to training two weeks ago, is not yet 100% fit. He is expected to start on the bench on Sunday, as is Luis Sinisterra. The Columbian winger has yet to make a real impact at Leeds; its fair to say that his injury, during his first start for Leeds (v Crystal Palace in Australia last month, after just 15 minutes) couldn't have come at a worse time. He enjoyed a cameo role at the weekend, and is expecting a longer run out against the Blues. Adam Forshaw completed 45 minutes for the U21's on Monday, he too can expect to make Sunday's squad, albeit, from the bench. Junior Firpo, Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas are all sidelined. Chelsea have problems of their own. Midfielder duo Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante have been ruled out, so Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Connor Gallagher are set to deputise. Azpilicueta is set to return to right back duties, allowing Reece James moving to switch back to his more familiar left back role. Raheem Sterling looks set to lead the line against the Whites.
Some kind of bet was lost yesterday and Bamford was on Twitter washing Joffy's car and Joffy washing Koch's car so surely their injuries can't be that bad? I would love a point from this game
Yeah this one could bring us back to reality A point would be great, a change in formation and tactics a must and would give me much more hope for the season
Unfortunately Chelsea look decent this season. I'd take a point now but we will have to ride our luck a bit to get one.
Yep and Spurs are much better than us. Hopefully we make something out of home advantage and play well whilst Chelsea have an off day. A draw would be a good result, a win would probably eclipse any result we got last season.
Corresponding game last season they beat us 3-0 so being beaten by less than 3 could be termed as an improvement a draw would be great a win would be magnificent Personally I would settle for a draw
This game has a Chelsea win written all over it sadly. On a plus note Kante and enough Chelsea player are out and I think Tunchel is banned from the pitch so it might work in our favour.
Can’t see us getting anything out of this game, which is why letting a two goal lead go last week was so annoying m.
Two tough games coming up. Draw would be a great result. More interested in the performance really. Chelsea always seem more patchy than city or the dippers - if you can stay in the game you get chances. It’s a Big if... but although they humped us at home last season we really should have won at theirs.
Don't think we will get anything out of this game, just hope we don't get crushed. But I would happily take a draw and a good performance
I think it'll be a handy 3.1 win with Lorimer, Jones and Clarke scoring and an Osgood consolation goal for them................apologies that was a dream I had
Earth shattering news. Bamfords confirms he’s unlikely fit to play Chelsea. Hopefully not a repeat of last season for him
