Leeds United face a trip to historic rivals Chelsea in their first game back after the international break - ahead of which blows have left four players out and six others doubtful but with key men expected back.
Just two points now separate the two teams in the Premier League table after very differing fortunes in the final weekend of action before the two week November international break.
Leeds went into Saturday’s hosting of Tottenham having gone five games without a victory but Daniel Farke’s Whites signed off the international break in style as Noah Okafor’s clinical finish sealed a 1-0 success.
Chelsea were then in action at bottom of the table Sunderland the following day but the Blues fell to a fourth defeat of the season as Enzo Le Fee’s first-half penalty sealed a 1-0 victory for the Black Cats.
It’s all left Chelsea fifth and only two points above ninth-placed Leeds ahead of the first game back when the Blues host the Whites in a 3pm kick-off on Saturday, November 21 at Stamford Bridge.
The Whites and Blues both had key players missing at the weekend and both teams have also suffered recent injury blows. Developments over the next two weeks could be key and here we run through the early injury news from both teams combined.
13. DOUBT: Jorrel Hato
Chelsea full back Hato has missed his side's last three games with a back injury, Alonso saying before the trip to Sunderland that it would take him "some more weeks to be fit". Remains to be seen if he is back as an option to face Leeds. | Getty Images
![The real big one for Chelsea, star striker Joao Pedro out since picking up a thigh injury in training on the eve of the 2-0 defeat at home to Tottenham towards the end of last month. It's now a wait and see regards the Brazilian's availability against Leeds. Speaking ahead of the weekend's trip to Sunderland, boss Alonso said of the striker: "No, not really updates. Let’s see after the international break the recovery that they [have] made. Ahead of the Leeds game, I will have more [news] but not today.”](https://www.connachttribune.ie/jpim-static/image/2026/11/09/8/46/GettyImages-2295103465.jpg?trim=0,278,0,278&crop=&width=800)
14. DOUBT: Joao Pedro
The real big one for Chelsea, star striker Joao Pedro out since picking up a thigh injury in training on the eve of the 2-0 defeat at home to Tottenham towards the end of last month. It's now a wait and see regards the Brazilian's availability against Leeds. Speaking ahead of the weekend's trip to Sunderland, boss Alonso said of the striker: "No, not really updates. Let’s see after the international break the recovery that they [have] made. Ahead of the Leeds game, I will have more [news] but not today.” | Getty Images
15. DOUBT: Anton Stach
Like Okafor, Whites midfielder Stach was a major doubt for the weekend's visit of Spurs - in his case due to an ongoing foot injury/broken toe - but unlike Okafor the German failed to make the matchday squad. Stach though is not been named in the Germany squad for November's Nations League games and now has a full two weeks to get back fully fit. | AFP via Getty Images
16. DOUBT: Gabi Gudmundsson
A new blow for Leeds and potentially a big one, clear first choice left back Gudmundsson starting Saturday's clash against Spurs but taken off at half-time after suffering a hamstring injury. Farke said afterwards that he was hopeful the Swede would be back after the international break. | Getty Images