Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is hoping for a positive home reaction after their League Cup defeat to Liverpool over the weekend. The loss has added extra pressure on the Chelsea boss and made the FA Cup game tonight even more prominent.
The last time the Blues played at Stamford Bridge, they suffered a 4-2 defeat to Wolves but wins against Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and a draw against Manchester City showed progress before their defeat at Wembley.
The minimum requirement for Pochettino this season has been to try and qualify the team for European football next season and the FA Cup is now the most realistic target after the defeat in the final of the League Cup. They are 11th on the league table and can still qualify through there even though they will have to massively improve to get that done.
Chelsea have also had to deal with unending injuries with Christopher Nkunku the latest to be ruled for up to a month after breaking down again in training this week. This is the third setback the French striker has suffered since signing for Chelsea in the summer.
Romeo Lavia is also close to returning but this game comes too soon for the former Southampton man so that leaves Pochettino with few options in the midfield as well as needing to find a way of getting Cole Palmer back to scoring after he failed to find the back of the net in the last four games. He's on the bench tonight.
Leeds United are flying in the Championship having won 10 of their last 12 games, so Chelsea will need to be on their game to make it to the next round.
Below is the team Pochettino has named for the crucial game:
1. Robert Sanchez
Gets back for the first time since December.
2. Axel Disasi
Another who gets to keep his spot from Wembley
3. Trevoh Chalobah
Gets his first start of the season.
4. Malo Gusto
He's absolute monster and has settled in so well here.