Predicted Chelsea XI to face Leeds United: Loftus-Cheek set for midfield start as Kante ruled out with hamstring injury

Chelsea face Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday afternoon, with the Blues keen to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

The Blues began the season at Goodison Park, with a 1-0 victory over Everton thanks to a Jorginho penalty.

Last weekend, Thomas Tuchel’s side came away from Stamford Bridge with a point after falling to a late draw with Tottenham Hotspur in controversial fashion.

The Blues boss believed that his side were hard done by, stating that neither Tottenham goal should have counted.

Thomas Tuchel on the touchline against Tottenham. (Alamy)

The first saw Kai Havertz allegedly fouled in the build-up, with Anthony Taylor waving for play to continue before Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg fired in.

Richarlison was also standing in an offside position, blocking the view of Edoaurd Mendy, according to Tuchel.

For the last-minute Spurs equaliser, VAR checked to see if Cristian Romero should have been dismissed for dragging Marc Cucurella to the ground, but Mike Dean did not see an issue with Taylor’s decision to not hand Chelsea a free-kick or give Romero a red card.

Chelsea will be hoping to put their frustration from the draw to one side as they look to get back to winning ways at Elland Road.

Leeds have started the season in the same fashion, beating Wolves in the opening game of the season before also drawing 2-2 in the second match, to Southampton.

There could be several changes for both sides, with Tuchel forced into at least one change after N’Golo Kante was substituted through injury.

Predicted Chelsea XI to face Leeds: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Silva, Koulibaly, James, Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek, Cucurella, Mount, Havertz, Sterling

Edouard Mendy is likely to start in goal as Chelsea’s number one, while captain Cesar Azpilicueta could return.

Reece James was named on the right of a back three against Spurs to counter Heung-min Son’s threat, which he did well.

Reece James celebrates his goal against Spurs. (Alamy)

However, with the injury to Kante, which Tuchel described as ‘quite serious’, Loftus-Cheek, who played at wing-back last

weekend, could be required in midfield. 

With Mateo Kovacic also out, it is likely that either Loftus-Cheek or Conor Gallagher will partner Jorginho in the centre of the park.

Marc Cucurella registered his first assist against Spurs and will likely keep his place as Ben Chilwell looks to get back up to match sharpness, appearing in the PL2 earlier in the week.

In attack, Tuchel is likely to stick with the front three that have started the last two matches as Christian Pulisic may return to the squad after an achilles injury, with Armando Broja ruled out.