Leeds United head coach Javi Gracia is hoping historical past repeats itself in Saturday’s Premier League sport at Stamford Bridge.
Gracia will take cost of his third sport for Leeds, who beat Southampton final week to climb out of the underside three earlier than dropping 2-0 in midweek at Fulham within the FA Cup.
Leeds are bidding for simply their sixth league win of the season and former Watford boss Gracia recalled a 4-1 win in opposition to Chelsea in his third sport in control of the Hornets through the 2017-18 season.
The Spaniard stated: “I remember it perfectly. I remember that game perfectly because it was my second (league) game, my first game at home.
“Like here, it was my third game. I played an FA Cup game, then Stoke and in my third game we won against Chelsea and I hope this year will be the same. My third game and I’ll try to get the same result.”
Chelsea boss Graham Potter is below big stress after two wins in 15 matches in all competitions.
One win in 9 league video games has left Chelsea in tenth place, eight factors adrift of the final European slot occupied by London rivals Fulham in seventh.
But Gracia insisted his gamers will take no additional confidence from Chelsea’s present struggles.
“The confidence we have is the work we are doing, not about the rivals in this case,” the 52-year-old stated.
“I respect their team a lot and what we expect is a very demanding game, a tough game and we have to be ready for that.”
Speculation over Potter’s future is already mounting after he changed Thomas Tuchel in September and Gracia added: “The only way you change the fans’ opinions about you is good results. It’s the only way.
“All I can give is my opinion about Graham Potter and he’s a fantastic manager and I wish him all the best. But of course this next game I’ll try to win.”
Gracia thought of his aspect unfortunate to have misplaced their fifth-round FA Cup tie at Fulham, who progressed after two world-class objectives from Joao Palhinha and Manor Solomon.
Leeds striker Georginio Rutter had one effort controversially dominated out and hit the publish with a header and Gracia stated there had been loads of positives.
He added: “We created chances and we were a little bit unlucky. We didn’t finish with composure and we have to improve many things but I’m happy with the way we competed, always trying to improve other things.
“Now we are focusing on Chelsea knowing it will be a tough game. A great stadium against a great team. I think the players are focused.”