Journalist Beren Cross has claimed Leeds United could be playing Chelsea at the perfect time as their team flirts with relegation.
Earlier this week, the Whites had to settle for a point away from home in a tense 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace. That result means Leeds sit five points above the bottom three with only five games left to play.
However, 18th-placed Everton have a game in hand on Jesse Marsch’s men, so that gap could be narrowed to just two points. To make things even more stressful, the Yorkshire club will face Manchester City, Arsenal, and Chelsea next up in the Premier League.
Will Leeds stay up this season?
Yes
No
Still, while speaking on a Leeds United Live Facebook video, Cross explained why the game against the Blues on 11th May could be the side’s best chance of picking up a much-needed win.
He said: “Chelsea will have one eye on the FA Cup final – [playing] three days before at Elland Road. They are picking up injuries as we speak, at least in the last few days. And there will be heavy rotation, there.
“And you would think that that’s the glimmer that Leeds might need to get anything from the next three.”
TIF thoughts on Chelsea and Leeds…
As Cross points out, Chelsea will certainly be more concerned with the FA Cup final where they face Liverpool only three days after the Leeds clash. What’s more, the Blues are not going to win the league, but should be safe to make the top four and qualify for the Champions League, so they won’t have too much to play for.
Notably, Mateo Kovacic and Callum Hudson-Odoi will face a fitness race to play again before the end of the season, so they may not be risked in the Premier League even if they are available.
It really looks as if this year’s fight to avoid the drop will go down to the wire. With that in mind, Leeds will need every extra bit of help they can get. If they can claim a win against a distracted Chelsea side, they would certainly do their hopes of staying up a huge favour.
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