Leeds United legend Tony Dorigo has suggested his former side could potentially cause an upset when they travel to Stamford Bridge to take on rivals Chelsea on Saturday.
The Whites know that a win in London would give them a historic league double over their opponents. The first time they have achieved such a feat in 31 years.
Whites supporters will remember their first league clash with the Blues this term fondly. A 3-0 thrashing in the late August sunshine which saw the sense of optimism around Elland Road reach the highest point it has been at all season.
Whilst this good feeling has soured since then, so too have the fortunes of Chelsea. Current boss Graham Potter has had a difficult time at Stamford Bridge, and his side are in a dire run of form. They currently have just one win from their past nine matches in the Premier League.
Fair to say, the pressure is on for both sides. Leeds take the trip seeking to build on a tight 1-0 home victory against Southampton last weekend, with a win at Chelsea potentially taking them as high as 13th in the table.
The stakes are equally as high for Potter and his side. Anything short of a win at the weekend – and against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League during the week – could spell the end of his tenure, and of Chelsea’s ambitions of achieving Champions League qualification this season.
Tony Dorigo on the importance of being “positive”
For Dorigo, it is vital that Leeds capitalise on the toxic sense of ill-feeling which currently pervades their rivals. They must show up, avoid mistakes, and above all be “positive” in their play – says the former Leeds United defender.
“Saturday’s trip to Chelsea is next and it’s just amazing the situation that we find ourselves in with this game. Normally it’s very different with Chelsea flying high but they have had an absolute shocker,” Dorigo told the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“They have spent so much money but it’s not individuals that you need. It’s a team and that’s where they are struggling. Thiago Silva has also been a great leader for them and he’ll be out as well and if Southampton can go there and win then that gives hope to absolutely everyone.
“We should be going there nice and positive but knowing that we have to do the right things and any sort of mistake will certainly give them a leg up. They are under pressure, we are under pressure and it’s going to be a tight and tense affair, absolutely no doubt.”
