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Preview: Leeds United vs. Chelsea

Sports Mole previews the Capital One Cup clash between Leeds United and Chelsea at Elland Road.

Leeds United host Chelsea in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday night as they look to join Yorkshire rivals Bradford City in the semi-finals.

The prospect of joining their near neighbours in the last four will be one that manager Neil Warnock and the club's supporters will crave and they will fancy their chances against a Chelsea side that will have only have had 24 hours rest from a flight back from Japan.

Warnock has seen Leeds pick up four victories out of their last six matches but he will be forced into at least alteration to the side that began Saturday's 2-0 win over a resurgent Ipswich Town.

Alan Tate is cup-tied after previously appearing in the competition for his parent club Swansea City, while there could also be a change in goal with Jamie Ashdown replacing Paddy Kenny.

Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez is likely to rotate the majority of players that began Sunday's Club World Cup final defeat against Corinthians.

The trio of John Obi Mikel, Ramires and Gary Cahill are all suspended for the match at Elland Road while Benitez is likely to rest several of the club's key first-team players.

That could lead to starts for the likes of Paulo Ferreira, Ryan Bertand, Marko Marin and Daniel Sturridge.

Recent form

Leeds United: LWWWLW

Chelsea: DLWWWL

Possible starting lineups:

Leeds United: Ashdown; Peltier, Lees, Pearce, Byram; Thomas, Tonge, Norris, Green; Becchio, Diouf

Chelsea: Turnbull; Azpilicueta, Bertrand, Ferreira, Ivanovic; David Luiz, Lampard; Piazon, Oscar, Marin; Sturridge

Sports Mole says: 1-2

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