Paul Merson predicts Leeds United vs Chelsea result as Mauricio Pochettino hangs over Graham Potter
Paul Merson has branded Chelsea’s form “appalling” but has still predicted they will beat Leeds United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
After the Whites won their first Premier League game since 5 November with the 1-0 over Southampton last weekend (25 February) they are now the form team going into this clash as Graham Potter clings to his job.
He hasn’t won in six games in all competitions and Merson believes he could be sacked if he is knocked out of the Champions League three days later, but despite that has backed the embattled former Brighton boss to defeat Javi Gracia’s men 2-0 at the weekend (4 March).
In his Sportskeeda predictions column Merson said: “It’s a huge game. This is not really the game that Chelsea’s focus is on. They have to beat Dortmund next week in the Champions League.
“But surely, they’ve got to win this one against Leeds United. Tottenham Hotspur put them to the sword last weekend.
“It’s such a tough game for Chelsea but I back them to win this one. They’ve won just two of their last 16 matches. That’s appalling for a club of Chelsea’s stature. They must win this one.
“In my opinion, Graham Potter’s future will be decided on Tuesday after the game against Dortmund. It’s the only competition the Blues are in right now.
“Who will replace him? People say [Mauricio] Pochettino might. But he used to manage Tottenham Hotspur and that could make him a no-go.”
Merry-go-round
Two sides who have been no strangers to managerial turmoil this season meet with both in relative disarray, but with Leeds United having finally got through to the other side of the calamitous process of replacing Jesse Marsch with Gracia they may be in the ascendency here.
It goes without saying that £600million will buy you players who can make the Blues dangerous if they get it right, so this is anything but an open goal for the Whites.
But confidence appears to be so low at Stamford Bridge that it is currently a golden opportunity for any side to take advantage, as lowly Southampton proved two weeks ago.
Ruben Selles was the man of the moment after James Ward-Prowse’s free-kick took the points at Stamford Bridge on 18 February, before they arrived at Elland Road a week later and offered next to nothing in defeat as Junior Firpo scored the winner.
Football is frequently illogical but that surely proves that Leeds can win if they just find a way to take some chances, and if Georginio Rutter gets a bit more luck than he did at Fulham on Tuesday (28 February) that should be possible.
Under Gracia the performances have been reasonable, with a much-needed win and an unlucky defeat to show for it, so against a side without much in the way of wins or luck the points are there for the taking.
In other Leeds United news, a BBC pundit has slammed one “unforgivable” Whites failing with two players particularly responsible.
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