Capital One Cup: Leeds v Chelsea match preview

A look ahead to tonight’s Capital One Cup fixture at Elland Road

Leeds host Chelsea this evening in the Capital One Cup quarter finals in what is undoubtedly the ultimate North v South clash.

Leeds, who began the decade chasing the dream in Champions League Semi Finals, can only look on in envy as their southern counterparts continue to enjoy their prolonged stint as one of European football’s superpowers.

However, this evening they meet in the Yorkshire club’s back yard, with Neil Warnock hoping for another Premier League scalp at Elland Road.

Rafa Benitez’s side will want to return to winning ways instantly following their 1-0 defeat to Corinthians in Tokyo.

KICK-OFF: Wednesday, 7.45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Chelsea 1 (Gronkjaer) Leeds 0, Premier League, May 2004

Leeds 1 (Pennant) Chelsea 1 (Duff), Premier League, December 2003

Chelsea 3 (Gudjohnsen, Lampard, Matteo OG) Leeds 2 (Kewell, Lucic), Premier League, January 2003

STATS…

Chelsea are unbeaten against Leeds in cup competitions, securing seven wins and four draws.

Chelsea have scored a total of 11 goals in eliminating Wolves and Manchester United in their previous League Cup fixtures this season.

This is Leeds’ sixth successive home tie in the League Cup.

Neil Warnock’s side have conceded just one goal in the competition this season.

ODDS…

Leeds to win: 4.9

Chelsea to win: 1.83

Draw: 3.9

CLASSIC MATCH

Undoubtedly the strongest North v South rivalry and this was typified when the two clubs met in the 1970 FA Cup Final replay at Old Trafford.

The Wembley final had finished 2-2 and while Chelsea ran out 2-1 winners in the second tie, the match will be forever remembered for its physical nature, which astoundingly only yielded a single booking from referee Eric Jennings.

When David Elleray reviewed the fixture in 1997, he concluded that there would have been six red cards and 20 bookings between them.

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 at 7.45pm