Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has acknowledged that he and his Chelsea squad are aware of the rivalry between the club and Wednesday's opponents Leeds United.
The Blues head into the FA Cup fifth-round showdown looking to respond from losing Sunday's EFL Cup final to Liverpool 1-0 after Virgil van Dijk's extra-time winner.
As a result, Chelsea have failed to capitalise on one of their opportunities to earn a return to Europe in 2024-25, instead left to focus on the Premier League and FA Cup.
With the West Londoners currently down in 11th position in the top-flight standings, the stakes remain high for Chelsea as they bid to shake off the tiredness and disappointment that came with losing after 120 minutes just three days prior to this contest.
In front of Chelsea are a team that are one of the form sides in English football, Leeds having recorded 11 wins and one draw in their 12 matches during 2024.
Daniel Farke's side have also prevailed in their last six contests, most recently defeating Championship leaders Leicester City on Friday, and it gives them two days extra rest in comparison to Chelsea.
The two teams also share a rivalry that started in the 1960s, and although that has since subsided due to the lack of league fixtures between the sides over the past 20 years, Leeds will relish the opportunity to heap further frustration on their more illustrious opponents.
Speaking at a press conference, Pochettino said: "Always the pressure is to win and the pressure is to go through to the competition. To arrive to the first final of the season in England, in the UK, I think is a massive achievement but after you arrive, after you don't get the title, it's tough.
"But I think we played very good games to arrive there. Now is a game that is going to be tough for all of the circumstances. But we need to be strong, with good energy and I told you when we started the press conference, the players want to be involved, want to be there and want to show that we are in the way that is going to be good for the team and good for the club."
On the rivalry, he added: "The players are aware and we are aware. It is going to be tough. I think tomorrow, four or five thousand fans. I understand the disappointment from our fans but we need their help, as always. I'm sorry to ask again but I think it is important to create a good atmosphere.
"Leeds is going to be pushing I think with four or five thousand fans. I know that it is going to be really tough, the game."
Pochettino added in the media briefing that Christopher Nkunku was the latest name to be added to the club's injury list after sustaining an issue against Liverpool.
The France international is due to spend up to a month on the sidelines at a time when Chelsea are unlikely to welcome back any of their recently-unavailable players for this contest, as well as having Cesare Casadei unable to feature due to being cup-tied. body check tags ::
