Chelsea look to bounce back from their first defeat of the Xabi Alonso era when Leeds United visit Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday night.
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Chelsea return to home comforts just three days after tasting defeat for the first time under Alonso, having gone down 2-1 at Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.
Morgan Rogers had given the Blues an early lead at the Emirates, but Chelsea could not hold on against the champions, ending a three-game unbeaten start to the new manager’s reign.
Full-time. #CFC | #ARSCHE pic.twitter.com/rPrz2yQmz2
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 6, 2026
There is no time to dwell on it. Leeds arrive in west London off the back of an unbeaten start to the season under Daniel Farke, with four competitive matches played and no defeats to show for it.
The Whites have already won twice away from home this term, including a 2-0 victory at Nottingham Forest in the previous round of this very competition, when Farke made six changes and still found a way to win through goals from Daniel James and Lukas Nmecha.
Farke’s side were then made to work hard for a point at Brighton on Saturday, with Jayden Bogle’s early goal eventually cancelled out as the Seagulls fought back to draw 1-1. It leaves Leeds with genuine momentum heading into a rivalry that has produced some fierce battles down the years, even if Wednesday’s meeting is only a third-round cup tie rather than a Premier League occasion.
History leans heavily in Chelsea’s favour in this particular competition.
The Blues have never lost to Leeds in the League Cup, a record that includes a 5-1 rout at Elland Road back in 2012. More recently, Chelsea edged Leeds 1-0 at Wembley in April’s FA Cup semi-final, while the two sides shared a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge in last season’s Premier League.
With no European football to juggle this season, Alonso can afford to treat the Carabao Cup as a serious opportunity rather than a distraction, even if squad rotation is expected.
Team News
Chelsea’s biggest fitness concern is Moises Caicedo. The midfielder was absent for Sunday’s defeat at Arsenal after suffering a fresh setback following his comeback against Brighton, with Alonso subsequently conceding that Chelsea had probably brought him back too soon.
#CarabaoCup action this Wednesday. 👊 pic.twitter.com/dnVivXnQO1
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 7, 2026
Nothing points to a long-term issue, but the manager is unlikely to take any unnecessary risks with one of his most important players just three days later.
Rotation looks near-certain elsewhere. Alonso made wholesale changes for the previous round against Luton Town, when Mike Penders deputised in goal and Danny Welbeck opened his Chelsea account in a 2-0 win.
Estêvão Willian also impressed in that game and pushed his case further with a stoppage-time effort against Arsenal that David Raya was forced to tip over. Levi Colwill, Malo Gusto, Geovany Quenda and Jamie Gittens could all be recalled as Alonso manages the workload of those who carried the heaviest burden at the Emirates, while Reece James, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and João Pedro are among those who may be rested.
Leeds, meanwhile, will be without one of their senior defenders.
Joe Rodon has been ruled out for around eight to ten weeks with a hamstring injury, an absence Farke described as a major blow before the trip to Brighton. Nico Elvedi, Tarik Muharemović and James Justin formed the back line at the Amex with Ethan Ampadu offering extra protection in front of them, and a similar setup is expected at Stamford Bridge.
Mateo Joseph and Ilia Gruev are also unavailable, though Farke’s summer additions leave him with alternatives to call upon.
Chelsea vs Leeds United Predicted XI
Chelsea Predicted XI:
Penders; Gusto, Colwill, Chalobah; Fofana, Lavia, Quenda; Estêvão, Gittens, Neto; Welbeck
Leeds United Predicted XI:
Perri; Justin, Elvedi, Muharemović, Ampadu; Aaronson, Stach, Longstaff; James, Nmecha, Bogle
Score Prediction
Chelsea 3-1 Leeds United
