Daniel Farke’s Leeds United will take a break from their Championship promotion campaign on Wednesday night when they play Chelsea in an FA Cup fifth-round match.
Leeds easily defeated League One Peterborough United in the third round at the Weston Homes Stadium, winning 3-0 on the road. However, Plymouth Argyle put them to the test in their final match of the season. Farke’s team defeated Elland Road 4-1 in the rematch, but only after extra time. The first leg ended in a 1-1 tie.
This particular match-up has an interesting dynamic. This season, promotion will be Leeds’ top aim, but Mauricio Pochettino and Chelsea just need to bounce back after losing to Liverpool in the 120-minute Carabao Cup final on Sunday. There might be a sense of unease if the visitors go off to a fast start. Regretfully, though, they are facing some injury issues before the encounter.
Bamford may miss out vs Chelsea
According to Phil Hay of The Athletic, who is reporting from Farke’s pre-match press conference, Patrick Bamford is doubtful due to a fresh “minor” calf and ankle issue. Crysencio Summerville may not be available elsewhere due to an ankle roll.
Georginio Rutter, who is recovering from a hip flexor issue, and Dan James, who has sustained a “little bruise,” will both see late choices made by the management. Farke is raising “a few question marks” overall following his team’s dramatic victory against top-of-the-table rivals Leicester City last Friday.
Fresh Patrick Bamford injury worry
Even while none of the aforementioned problems seem very serious, there can still be worries that Bamford will encounter further difficulties. The Englishman has been playing some amazing football lately. In his previous ten games, he has six goals and two assists, including the game-winning goal against the Foxes.
Following the match, Farke praised him as a “natural finisher when he’s fit and in rhythm” and mentioned his “dangerous” positional nous, which is “something you cannot learn”. But after suffering another setback so soon after being forced to leave the starting lineup against Swansea, he might now lose that rhythm.
Leeds supporters may be anxious that the 30-year-old will get into trouble again after an injury hampered his start to the season and forced him to play catch-up. This season, he wasn’t able to start until New Year’s Day.
