Chelsea welcome Leeds United to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, for a Carabao Cup third-round tie. Kickoff is scheduled for 20:00 BST.
Xabi Alonso's Chelsea enter after suffering their first competitive defeat of the season, losing 2-1 at Arsenal on Sunday. Leeds, meanwhile, remain unbeaten in the new Premier League campaign after drawing 1-1 at Brighton.
Both clubs have already progressed once in this competition. Chelsea eliminated Luton Town 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, while Leeds recorded an impressive 2-0 away victory over Nottingham Forest. This is a one-match knockout tie. If the scores are level after 90 minutes, there is no extra time and the winner will be decided by penalties.
Head-to-Head Summary
Chelsea hold the stronger record across the last 10 competitive meetings:
Chelsea wins: 6
Leeds United wins: 2
Draws: 2
Chelsea goals: 17
Leeds United goals: 13
The wider numbers favor Chelsea, but Leeds have become more competitive in this matchup recently. They beat Chelsea 3-1 at Elland Road in December 2025 before earning a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge in February.
Chelsea responded by eliminating Leeds 1-0 in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley in April. That gives this cup meeting more relevance than older H2H numbers alone would suggest.
Last 10 Meetings
The most recent competitive encounters are:
April 26, 2026 – FA Cup Semi-final: Leeds United 0-1 Chelsea
February 10, 2026 – Premier League: Chelsea 2-2 Leeds United
December 3, 2025 – Premier League: Leeds United 3-1 Chelsea
February 28, 2024 – FA Cup: Chelsea 3-2 Leeds United
March 4, 2023 – Premier League: Chelsea 1-0 Leeds United
August 21, 2022 – Premier League: Leeds United 3-0 Chelsea
May 11, 2022 – Premier League: Leeds United 0-3 Chelsea
December 11, 2021 – Premier League: Chelsea 3-2 Leeds United
March 13, 2021 – Premier League: Leeds United 0-0 Chelsea
December 5, 2020 – Premier League: Chelsea 3-1 Leeds United
Chelsea have won six of those matches, but only one of the last three. The April FA Cup semi-final is particularly relevant because it showed that Chelsea could control a knockout meeting against Leeds without needing a high-scoring performance.
Enzo Fernández scored the only goal at Wembley. Leeds' 3-1 league win and subsequent 2-2 draw, however, show that they can trouble Chelsea when they press effectively and make efficient use of transition opportunities.
Chelsea Current Form
Chelsea's last five competitive results are:
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Chelsea 4-3 Brighton
Chelsea 2-0 Luton Town
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
Sunderland 2-1 Chelsea
That gives Chelsea three wins and two defeats, with 11 goals scored and nine conceded. The first four matches of the new season have shown considerable attacking promise under Alonso.
Chelsea scored three at Fulham and four against Brighton, with Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer and João Pedro forming an increasingly productive attacking unit. The 2-1 defeat at Arsenal was still competitive. Rogers gave Chelsea an early lead before the defending Premier League champions responded.
The main concern is defensive control. Chelsea have conceded six goals across their three league fixtures, although the clean sheet against Luton showed they can manage cup opposition more carefully when required.
Leeds United Current Form
Leeds' last five competitive results are:
Brighton 1-1 Leeds United
Leeds United 1-1 Brentford
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Leeds United
Nottingham Forest 0-1 Leeds United
West Ham United 3-0 Leeds United
That produces two wins, two draws and one defeat, with five goals scored and five conceded. More importantly, Daniel Farke's team are unbeaten in all four competitive matches this season.
They began by beating Forest 1-0 in the Premier League, returned to the City Ground three days later and won 2-0 in the Carabao Cup, then drew with Brentford and Brighton. The Brighton performance was encouraging. Jayden Bogle gave Leeds an early lead and Farke's side competed well before conceding a second-half equaliser.
Their current results suggest Chelsea should expect a well-organised opponent rather than treating this as an opportunity for straightforward rotation.
Chelsea Team News and Injuries
Moisés Caicedo is the main current fitness concern. The midfielder returned from injury against Brighton but was forced off after only 13 minutes. Alonso then decided not to risk him against Arsenal.
No confirmed return for the Leeds tie has been announced, so his availability should be considered uncertain rather than assumed. Levi Colwill is available again after returning to the matchday squad at Arsenal, while Geovany Quenda was also back among the substitutes.
Striker Emmanuel Emegha is still working towards full fitness after an injury disrupted his preseason and has yet to establish himself in Alonso's matchday plans. Rotation is likely to be considered after Chelsea played Arsenal only three days before this tie, but Alonso has enough depth to make changes without fielding an inexperienced side.
Leeds United Team News and Injuries
Leeds will definitely be without Joe Rodon. Farke confirmed before the Brighton match that the centre-back suffered a hamstring injury and is expected to miss approximately eight to 10 weeks.
His absence reduces Leeds' defensive depth for a match in which they are likely to spend significant periods without the ball. Otherwise, Farke was able to name a strong squad at Brighton. New arrivals Melvin Bard and Jean-Mattéo Bahoya were among the substitutes, while Gabriel Gudmundsson returned to the starting XI.
Ethan Ampadu, Anton Stach and Ao Tanaka provide Leeds with an experienced midfield core, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha offer different options at centre-forward.
Tactical Match Analysis
Chelsea should control more possession, but Leeds have already shown that they can compete effectively without dominating the ball. Alonso's Chelsea have frequently built with three defenders and used width aggressively, allowing Palmer and Rogers to receive in central attacking areas.
That movement could create problems for Leeds if their midfield drops too deep. The visitors need Ampadu, Stach and Tanaka to protect the spaces in front of the defence while still being aggressive enough to prevent Chelsea from circulating possession comfortably around the penalty area.
Leeds can also create problems through pressure. Their 3-1 victory over Chelsea last season was built on intensity and direct attacking once possession changed hands. Chelsea's buildup has improved under Alonso, but losing the ball centrally could still expose them.
Calvert-Lewin gives Leeds a useful outlet when they need to bypass Chelsea's first press. His ability to compete for direct balls can allow Bogle, Gudmundsson and supporting midfielders to move up the pitch. Chelsea's best route may be patience rather than forcing attacks.
If Leeds defend compactly, quick combinations around Palmer, Rogers and João Pedro can drag defenders out of position. The hosts also possess enough bench quality to increase the tempo later if the match remains close.
Key Players to Watch
1. Morgan Rogers
Rogers has made an immediate impact following his summer move to Chelsea and scored again against Arsenal. His ability to carry the ball and create between the lines makes him particularly useful against organised defensive teams.
2. Cole Palmer
Palmer remains Chelsea's main creative threat. Leeds must prevent him from receiving repeatedly in central areas around the penalty box.
3. Ao Tanaka
Tanaka was one of Leeds' strongest performers at Brighton. His composure in midfield will be important when Chelsea attempt to press and dominate territory.
4. Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Calvert-Lewin gives Leeds a physical outlet and has already opened his scoring account this season. His aerial ability could also make set pieces an important route for the visitors.
What the Numbers Tell Us
The most relevant evidence gives Chelsea the advantage without making the tie one-sided:
Chelsea have won six of the last 10 competitive meetings.
Leeds have won two, with two draws.
Chelsea lead the goal count 17-13.
Chelsea won the most recent H2H, 1-0 in the 2026 FA Cup semi-final.
Leeds took four Premier League points from Chelsea last season.
Chelsea have won three of four competitive matches this season.
Leeds are unbeaten in four competitive games this season.
Leeds have conceded only three goals across those four matches.
Chelsea have scored 10 goals in four competitive games this season.
Chelsea offer greater attacking output, while Leeds' early-season defensive record gives them a realistic chance of keeping the tie close.
Who Has the Advantage?
Chelsea have the statistical advantage, primarily because of home advantage, greater squad depth and their stronger overall H2H record. They have also already won a knockout meeting with Leeds this year, beating them in the FA Cup semi-final.
However, Leeds should not be considered comfortable underdogs. They took four league points from Chelsea last season and have started the current campaign unbeaten. Their defensive organisation has also been strong, with consecutive clean sheets against Nottingham Forest followed by draws against Brentford and Brighton.
A draw after 90 minutes is therefore realistic and would send the tie directly to penalties. Chelsea remain the stronger side on the available evidence, but Leeds' recent H2H performances and current unbeaten run suggest this could be considerably tighter than a simple comparison of squad values would imply.
Conclusion
Chelsea vs Leeds United adds another chapter to a rivalry that has regained competitive relevance over the last year. Chelsea hold the better long-term numbers and eliminated Leeds from the FA Cup in April, but the Yorkshire side had already beaten the Blues 3-1 and drawn 2-2 with them during the previous league campaign.
Current form also gives Leeds reason for confidence. They remain unbeaten through four competitive matches and have conceded only three goals. Chelsea possess more attacking quality and have home advantage, although Alonso may need to manage workloads following Sunday's demanding trip to Arsenal.
Overall, Chelsea have the stronger statistical edge, but Leeds' defensive form and recent success in this matchup make another close contest—and potentially a penalty shootout—entirely credible.