Giroud to keep his place? - How Chelsea could line-up against Leeds

Cameron Smith

Olivier Giroud's performance on Wednesday night will surely mean that for the first time this season, he'll start a Premier League game for Chelsea.

The Blues face Leeds United off the back of topping their Champions League group and with the side currently sitting third in the league, confidence will be high in West London.

With a fully fit squad to choose from, a selection headache will be something that Frank Lampard has to deal with, but with the busy Christmas period upon clubs, Lampard will no doubt be glad that he has a plethora of options.

As for the game against Leeds, expect a similar side to the one that draw 0-0 with Tottenham last time out.

The only likely change is that Giroud may replace Tammy Abraham in the number nine role following his four-goal haul against Sevilla.

Kai Havertz has returned to full fitness, but the form of Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount means he may have to wait a little longer for his next start in the league.

Lampard rested his entire first-choice back four against Sevilla, and Reece James, Thiago Silva, Kurt Zouma and Ben Chilwell will all come back into the side against Leeds.

N'Golo Kante was also on the bench on Wednesday, but he'll return to the starting XI in his ball-winning no.6 role.

Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi played out wide in midweek, but expect Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech to play there against Marcelo Bielsa's men.

Related Articles