Chelsea will be keen to retain their winning touch under Liam Rosenior when they welcome Leeds United to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
Chelsea return to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night for the game against Leeds United, aiming to extend a flawless Premier League start under Liam Rosenior, with confidence steadily building in West London. Since the 41-year-old’s arrival, the Blues have rediscovered momentum and purpose, winning all four of their league fixtures and re-entering the Champions League conversation with renewed belief.
The contrast with Chelsea’s pre-Rosenior form is stark. Before the managerial change, they had gone five league matches without a win, drifting amid familiar uncertainty. That turbulence now feels distant. Rosenior’s early tenure has been defined by authority in high-pressure moments, particularly across a demanding run of London derbies.
Victories over Brentford, Crystal Palace and West Ham laid the foundations, before Saturday’s trip to Molineux produced a statement performance, Cole Palmer’s blistering first-half hat-trick powering a 3-1 win over Wolves. That result was especially important coming on the heels of Chelsea’s EFL Cup semi-final exit to Arsenal, which remains the only real blemish on Rosenior’s opening nine matches in charge across all competitions.
In league terms, Chelsea sit fifth, just one point shy of the top four and four clear of Liverpool below them. A win here would not only strengthen their Champions League push, but also see Rosenior achieve a rare milestone, making him the first Chelsea manager since Maurizio Sarri in 2018 to win his first three home Premier League games.
One caveat remains: Chelsea’s midweek form. They are yet to win a Premier League match played midweek this season, drawing twice and losing once, including a 3-1 defeat at Elland Road back in December. That result will not be forgotten by Leeds United, who arrive in West London seeking to complete a league double over Chelsea for the first time since their title-winning 1991/92 campaign.
Leeds United travel south encouraged by recent progress under Daniel Farke. Friday’s 3-1 home victory over Nottingham Forest showcased the Whites at their most effective, racing into a three-goal lead through Jayden Bogle, Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin before coasting home. It was an ideal response to the previous weekend’s heavy defeat against league leaders Arsenal, a loss that stands as just one of two defeats in Leeds United’s last 12 Premier League matches.
That upturn has lifted Leeds to 16th, six points clear of the relegation zone with 13 games remaining. While safety remains the priority, further distance from danger would significantly ease pressure during the run-in. However, translating recent improvement into away results has proven difficult. Leeds have lost seven of their 12 league matches on the road, collecting just seven away points, a total bettered only by Burnley and Wolves.
History also weighs heavily against them. Leeds United are winless in their last seven league visits to Stamford Bridge, losing six, with their last top-flight victory there over Chelsea dating back to 1999. Against a side brimming with confidence and attacking fluency, reversing that trend represents a formidable challenge.
This fixture therefore presents a familiar tension: Chelsea chasing momentum at the top end of the table, Leeds fighting for consolidation below. One side is building, the other stabilising, and Stamford Bridge may once again prove decisive. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Chelsea
Chelsea continue to navigate a busy injury list as they prepare for Tuesday night. Jamie Gittens and Tosin Adarabioyo remain sidelined with hamstring problems, while Dario Essugo is still recovering from a thigh injury and is not expected to feature. Levi Colwill also remains unavailable as he works his way back from a serious knee issue.
There is some uncertainty surrounding Filip Jorgensen, whose fitness will be assessed late on, though even if cleared, the goalkeeper is unlikely to displace Robert Sanchez. Andrey Santos was withdrawn late against Wolves after picking up a knock, leaving his availability in doubt, while Reece James could return to contention after missing the previous two matches, offering a timely boost on the right side. There are no suspension concerns for the hosts.
Chelsea’s attacking confidence is high, led by Cole Palmer, whose remarkable first-half hat-trick at Molineux saw him become the first player in Premier League history to score three first-half hat-tricks. The England international is expected to operate in a free attacking midfield role once again, carrying momentum into a fixture where Chelsea will look to assert early control.
From a tactical standpoint, Chelsea, against Leeds United, are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, a shape that has underpinned their recent resurgence under Liam Rosenior. Robert Sanchez should start in goal, providing distribution and command from the back. The defensive line is likely to feature Malo Gusto at right-back, Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah as the central defensive pairing, and Marc Cucurella operating at left-back with license to support attacks.
In midfield, Moises Caicedo is expected to anchor proceedings alongside Enzo Fernandez, a pairing designed to balance ball recovery with progressive passing. Ahead of them, Estevao Willian should operate from the right wing, Cole Palmer is likely to occupy the central attacking midfield role, and Pedro Neto should start from the left, providing direct running and width.
Leading the line, Joao Pedro is expected to continue as the central striker, tasked with linking play, pressing from the front, and capitalising on service from Chelsea’s creative trio. This setup reflects Chelsea’s current identity under Rosenior showing control in midfield, flexibility in attack, and increasingly decisive in the final third.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Joao Pedro
Leeds United
Leeds United arrive at Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea with few selection concerns, giving Daniel Farke welcome continuity. Anton Stach appears to be the only likely absentee, while the returns of Daniel James and Lukas Nmecha have bolstered attacking options. There are no suspension issues to contend with.
One notable tactical decision concerns Facundo Buonanotte, the Argentine, whose Chelsea loan ended in January before his short-term switch to Leeds United, was omitted last weekend for tactical reasons and could again miss out as Farke prioritises balance and defensive coverage. Up front, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is set to lead the line once more.
From a tactical perspective, Leeds United are expected to deploy a 3-5-2 formation against Chelsea, aimed at protecting central areas while attacking through wing-backs and quick transitions. Karl Darlow should start in goal. The back three is likely to comprise Joe Rodon on the right, Pascal Struijk centrally, and James Justin on the left, providing a blend of aerial presence and ball progression.
Across midfield, Jayden Bogle is expected to operate as the right wing-back, with Gabriel Gudmundsson on the left, both tasked with supplying width and supporting counters. In the centre, Ethan Ampadu should anchor the midfield alongside Ilia Gruev, offering defensive structure and distribution, while Brenden Aaronson provides energy, pressing, and vertical runs between the lines.
In attack, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is expected to partner Noah Okafor. Calvert-Lewin’s physical presence and penalty-box instincts offer a focal point, while Okafor’s mobility and pace provide a complementary threat on the break. This setup reflects Leeds United’s intent to remain compact out of possession, absorb pressure, and strike decisively when space opens, a pragmatic approach against a confident Chelsea side.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Darlow; Rodon, Struijk, Justin; Bogle, Aaronson, Ampadu, Gruev, Gudmundsson; Calvert-Lewin, Okafor
Key Stats
- Chelsea have won all four of their Premier League matches under Liam Rosenior, scoring 11 goals in that run.
- Chelsea sit just one point outside the top four, and a win would make Rosenior the first Blues manager since Maurizio Sarri (2018) to win his first three home league games in charge.
- Leeds United have lost seven of their 12 Premier League away matches, collecting only seven points on the road, a tally bettered only by Burnley and Wolves.
- Leeds have suffered just two defeats in their last 12 league games.
- Leeds are winless in their last seven league visits to Stamford Bridge, losing six, with their most recent top-flight victory there dating back to 1999.
Player to Watch
Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer arrives into this fixture in devastating form and as the clear focal point of Chelsea’s attacking resurgence under Liam Rosenior. His historic first-half hat-trick against Wolves at Molineux was not just a statistical novelty but a statement from a player increasingly comfortable carrying responsibility at the highest level.
Operating just behind the striker, Palmer’s intelligence sets him apart. He drifts seamlessly between lines, finds pockets of space others miss, and consistently makes the right decision at speed. Whether slipping runners through, shooting early from the edge of the box, or arriving late into scoring positions, his threat is varied and difficult to neutralise, particularly against a Leeds side likely to defend deep and look to counter.
What makes Palmer especially dangerous in this match-up is his efficiency. He does not require sustained dominance to influence games; a single opening can be enough. With Leeds expected to concede territory at Stamford Bridge, Palmer’s ability to dictate tempo in the final third and punish defensive hesitation could prove decisive.
If Chelsea are to maintain their perfect league record under Liam Rosenior and turn pressure into points once again, Palmer is the player most likely to provide the moment that breaks resistance.
Prediction
Chelsea 2-0 Leeds United
Chelsea’s momentum under Liam Rosenior has been built on control, confidence, and decisive moments in the final third, qualities that should again come to the fore at Stamford Bridge. Their attacking structure looks settled, and with Cole Palmer in outstanding form, they carry a cutting edge capable of breaking down compact opponents.
Leeds United have shown resilience and improvement under Daniel Farke and possess enough physicality to make this competitive, particularly on the counter. However, their poor away record and struggles at Stamford Bridge remain significant hurdles.
