With all the pre-match talk of bitter rivalry dating back over forty years, Japanese Aviation law and will there be a handshake between feuding rival bosses Neil Warnock and Rafa Benitez, the moment is nearly upon us.

A Quarter-Final clash between the current Champions of Europe and the real Champions of Europe has all the ingredients for a Christmas encounter more spicier than a dollop of your Grandma's plum pudding.

All week we have read about the historic rivalry between the artisans of the Kings Road and the unruly, unloved Northern cloggers, those not in the know conveniently forgetting the watershed moment of this bitter rivalry eg the 1970 Cup Final saw Chelsea receive more yellow cards than Leeds and the subsequent replay Ron "Chopper" Harris was brutally assigned to kick Eddie Gray off the field.

Chelsea's plight at being forced to partake in the meaningless World Club Championship in Japan and their subsequent delayed return to Tokyo's ban of night flying has been well highlighted. Frank Lampard, now an elderly British statesman has taken it upon himself to lecture the Chelsea foreign legions about the hostility that exists between these two sides as they were probably still in their respective school teams when these sides last met in May 2004 - the 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge was Leeds last ever Premiership outing to date.

Then there is the Warnock/Benitez spat and "will they or won't they?" exchange a post-match handshake? This all stems from the final hours of the 2006/07 season when Warnock blames Benitez, amongst others, for conspiring to send his Sheffield United team down. Rafa allegedly fielded a weakened Liverpool side at Fulham, the Reds lost and Warnock erupted. This week the Leeds boss revealed his last contact with the Chelsea manager was an email threatening to sue him. Warnock, who famously turned down the Chelsea job two decades ago also cheekily hinted that he should have been the preferred successor to Robbie Di Matteo.

With the allocation of away support slashed to 3,000 andan alcohol ban inside the ground on Police orders, it is also understood that the Police will take the unprecedented step and WARN both teams about their conduct prior to kick-off through fears of inciting tensions on what promises to be yet another epic night under the Elland Road floodlights.

Warnock revealed he may have to leave out keeper Jamie Ashdown, who has played in all our League Cup ties bar the Shrewsbury one, so we expect to see a start from Paddy Kenny. The YEP cite the battle in midfield between Michael Tonge and Frank Lampard as a key one, for Tonge it could be his last game in a Leeds shirt as his loan-deal expires after tonight's game and it is understood he will return to Stoke with Warnock hopeful to bring him back permanently in January.

Fellow loanee Alan Tate is unavailable having played for Swansea in the earlier rounds so we can expect London-born Jason Pearce to be brought in from the cold for his first game since his sending off in the 1-6 defeat to Watford last month, Pearce should partner Tom Lees in the only change at the back however the revelation that Lee Peltier is struggling with a groin strain could open the door for a rare appearance by Adam Drury.

In midfield another player carrying an injury Jerome Thomas may feature as his parent club West Brom have given him permission to play, however Warnock hinted Thomas who put in a match-winning performance in against Ipswich might be spared for this Saturday's tough Championship clash with Boro. I have a sneaky suspicion Ryan Hall will start.

Upfront personally I'd bring Ross McCormack in for Becchio, despite his goals tally most of the Argentine's goals come from the penalty spot of late. I'd like to see Rosco partner El Hadji Diouf, the man from Senegal is surely a must for the big occasion.

Score prediction, despite their feeble form and jet lag I think sadly it will be Bradford City who will be carrying the West Yorkshire banner through into the semis and Chelsea will be too tough and prepared for the culture shock in these parts. I'm going for a dramatic 2-3 win for the Pensioners (to give them a nickname I can publish on a website I know my children read!) possibly deep into extra time.

Photo: Action Images

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