Leeds United have taken a giant stride towards securing Premier League safety after their 3-0 win over Wolves on Saturday, and will have a chance to reach the FA Cup final when they take on Chelsea at Wembley next weekend.
The Whites will be in league action on Wednesday night when they travel to Bournemouth. However, an eight-point gap with the drop zone has allowed them to have one eye on the FA Cup semi-final.
Chelsea are in a woeful run of form, losing their last five games in all competitions, and will face Brighton in the league before the Leeds clash on Sunday.
However, Liam Rosenior has several headaches as they are now in the middle of an injury crisis ahead of the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley next weekend.
Chelsea suffer triple injury blow ahead of Leeds FA Cup clash
Ahead of the Manchester United game on Saturday, Chelsea lost Joao Pedro to a thigh injury, but Rosenior expects him to be fit for the Brighton game on Tuesday night.
Rosenior told Chelsea’s official website: “Joao felt his thigh a few days ago. He was touch and go for this one, so hopefully we’ll have him back for Brighton on Tuesday.”
Chelsea lost 1-0 at home to the Red Devils, but more devastatingly, it seems they could be without their star winger Estevao for the rest of the season.
The Brazilian winger picked up a hamstring injury, and Rosenior is also keeping his fingers crossed about the fitness of Enzo Fernandes.
After the game, the Chelsea boss said, “He was crying at halftime; it was really devastating for him.
“It looks like it’s his hamstring, and that has happened in a moment when he’s running through on their goal for a one-v-one chance – he pulls his hamstring in that moment.
“I hope Este comes back sooner rather than later.”
About Fernandes, he said, “I just saw him in the dressing room – I think it was his calf.
“I’m hoping it’s cramp; he’s getting work on it right now because we want him, obviously, fit for Tuesday.
“He ran himself into the ground for the club tonight, and I expect nothing different from a man of his stature and quality.”
The Whites should fancy themselves at Wembley
Chelsea haven’t had it easy against Leeds this season. They were beaten 3-1 at Elland Road late last year and then held to a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge in February.
Leeds, meanwhile, have enjoyed those encounters, picking up four points from a possible six against one of their traditional rivals.
A Wembley semi-final is a different kind of test, though, and Chelsea may have the edge in terms of players who have been in these high-pressure situations before.
Even so, those earlier results will still be fresh in the mind, and Leeds will go into the game believing they have a real chance of beating a Chelsea side who are struggling for form and fitness.
