Venue: Elland Road
Date: Wednesday, 19 December
Kick-off: 19.45 GMT
Well, it might only be the Capital One Cup but given his previous, we all know Rafa would probably have us going home on an open top bus if we get a result.
Ok, so I’m being flippant – because he probably wouldn’t care that much either way. Whilst we’ll be renewing old rivalries and our players, slightly less than fresh from defeat in Japan Sunday, will undoubtedly be having lumps kicked out of them, the FSW is more likely to be wrapped up in his own personal feuds.
Still, since we’re out of almost everything else this season already, hopefully the players can get on with things in spite of him because tonight’s game is about a lot more than a domestic cup.
MANAGERS’ VIEWS
Ahead of a game against an opposition (interim) manager he said he’d “never forgive” for picking a weakened side in the final away game of the 06/07 season that ultimately assisted in the relegation of his Sheffield United side, Leeds boss Warnock says “It’s one of those things that disappoints you in life and you have to get on with it really, but you get disappointments in every walk of life and I’ve made my feelings clear on how my feelings have been over the last few years and nothing will change that.”
Back to the present and tonight’s game though, Warnock says “When you get to my stage in life you never know if it’s your last big cup tie so it whets the appetite,” he said. “I don’t think I could have picked a better team to play against and it’s got all the ingredients for me. Or a better manager to play against, in a stadium with a full house. It promises to be a fabulous occasion with no pressure on us. Win or lose it will be a great night. The eyes of the whole country will be on it because there is nothing else on. We can give anyone a run for their money on our patch and it promises to be a really good cup tie. “What you want to do is pit your wits against one of the game’s top managers and win.”
Rafa Benitez meanwhile, says……nothing worth reading.
SQUAD NEWS
For Leeds, Leigh Bromby, Rodolph Austin, Davide Somma and Ramon Nunez are all out, Jerome Thomas and Lee Peltier are also struggling for fitness, while Alan Tate is cup-tied. Keeper Jamie Ashdown is hopeful of playing despite a minor injury.
Oriol Romeu (knee) is out for the rest of the season, John Terry (knee) also remains out injured. John Obi Mikel, Gary Cahill and Ramires are all suspended and whilst Sturridge (hamstring) has recovered, Chelsea’s interim manager might stick with Fernando Torres given his blistering form.
TEAM NEWS
LEEDS (possible line-up): Kenny, Byram, Lees, Pearce, Drury, Austin, White, Brown, Diouf, Becchio, McCormack
CHELSEA (possible line-up): Cech, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Luiz, Bertrand, Lampard, Ramires, Moses, Mata, Hazard, Torres
LAST MEETING
Chelsea 1-0 Leeds (15th May 2004)
PREDICTION
We’ve never lost to Leeds in cup competition, with seven wins and four draws to date. So, it’s fair to say Rafa will change that statistic.
Blue is the colour
