Our best bets for Sunday's FA Cup semi-final between Chelsea and Leeds includes a goal for a Swiss star and a booking for a Blues battler.
Seven defeats in eight games was enough for Chelsea’s board to dismiss manager Liam Rosenior and the timing means interim boss Calum McFarlane will get the opportunity to become a Blues hero.
McFarlane, who also took charge in between the spells of Enzo Maresca and Rosenior earlier in the season, has no time to waste as his first game comes against Leeds in the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday.
Chelsea are favourites to book their spot in the final. However, while they may receive a minor new-manager bounce, the issues at the club run deep and an in-form Leeds look ready to spring a surprise.
Chelsea v Leeds Bet Builder
Pays out at 14/1
Leeds likely to add to Chelsea’s misery
Chelsea fans will be hoping McFarlane can breathe life into a stagnant side because, boy, do the Blues need it.
They were woeful against Brighton on Tuesday, being battered from start to finish and failing to register even a shot on target in a 3-0 defeat, so there is clearly lots of work for the interim boss to do.
On paper, given they are the Club World Cup holders and have spent an eyewatering amount of money over the past few years, Chelsea should breeze through an FA Cup semi-final with Leeds.
However, football isn’t played on paper, but on the pitch, and Leeds have been far better than Chelsea on grass of late.
Daniel Farke’s Whites extended their unbeaten run to seven with an impressive 2-2 draw at in-form Bournemouth on Wednesday and with that streak including a win at Manchester United, they will fear nothing at Wembley.
Chelsea are yet to beat Leeds this season, losing 3-1 at Elland Road before a 2-2 draw in London, and given they have only managed to score against League One strugglers Port Vale in their last seven games, that is unlikely to change on Sunday.
Leg 1: Leeds to qualify @ 13/10
In-form Okafor can punish Blues
While Chelsea have goal-shy Liam Delap leading the line and ineffective wingers Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto out wide, Leeds are spoiled for choice in attack.
Lukas Nmecha, Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have all enjoyed strong seasons and Farke has a tough decision to make this weekend.
Calvert-Lewin is sure to start and based on the form of the other two, he should be joined by Okafor, who has scored three goals in his last three appearances.
The Swiss forward was also on target at Stamford Bridge in February and may again haunt a Blues defence which has shipped seven goals in three games.
Leg 2: Noah Okafor anytime goalscorer @ 11/5
Caicedo could overstep the mark at Wembley
Leeds also have plenty of talented midfielders and it would be no surprise to see frequent card receiver Moises Caicedo kept busy by the Whites engine room.
Chelsea’s chief combatant has picked up nine yellow cards in 29 Premier League appearances, with one of those coming when Leeds visited Stamford Bridge two months ago.
Caicedo is not one to shy away from a tackle and he is also known to let his feelings known to referees should things not go Chelsea’s way, making the Ecuadorian a prime card candidate.
Leg 3: Moises Caicedo to be booked @ 11/5
