Ranieri approaches Leeds with caution

Claudio Ranieri fears Leeds United may be about to find their form and keep their manager Terry Venables in a job. Venables has been under pressure virtually all season but the 2-1 victory over Sunderland on St Stephen's Day extended their unbeaten run to three games.

Ranieri, whose team are pushing leaders Arsenal hard in the title race, knows Chelsea cannot underestimate Leeds, even if they have not won at home in the Premiership since September 14th - when they beat another contender, Manchester United

On the eve of Chelsea's visit to Elland Road today Ranieri said: "Always I am careful when you play teams like this because sooner or later they will explode. I hope it's not against us. It will be hard. I remember the games against them very well.

"They are very aggressive. I don't understand how it's possible for them to be so low in the table. I can't believe what has happened. More or less they have the same players as a year ago, when they were top. I am sure they will come back."

Ranieri believes Venables is capable of turning things around. "I don't know him very well, I only know his reputation. (He) is a great manager, tremendous." Ranieri added.

Venables, returning the compliment, believes Ranieri's side are Arsenal's main rivals. "I'm not surprised how well Chelsea have done, not at all," said Venables.

"They seem to have had roughly the same players week in, week out; that makes a difference. Are they serious title challengers? Yes. They are certainly looking consistent and that is why they are where they are. A couple of years ago I thought they were different when teams got stuck into them, but not now. The difference is that Chelsea have their top-class players playing well. It couldn't be harder for us to get a home win, that's for sure."

Ranieri had a stuttering start as Chelsea's coach but is now seeing his team push for honours; Venables can only hope he is given a similar chance. "All credit to him," said Venables. "What he's done is very similar to what I'm trying to do here but he's in a much better position than I am."

Chelsea remain Venables' first love as they were the club with whom he started his career with an eight-year spell in the 1960s, and it was with great reluctance he eventually had to leave Stamford Bridge.

Venables has looked on since then as a club with so much potential has failed to live up to their status, other than the odd trophy to adorn the silverware cabinet in recent years.

But it is the league crown which remains elusive, with Chelsea's solitary triumph way back in 1955 at a time when Venables was only 12 years old.

This season, though, under Ranieri Chelsea are looking the strongest contenders to push Arsenal all the way. "It's a great club and I'm surprised they haven't won more over the years. But I've watched them on many occasions and it's always come down to the inconsistency of their form," Venables observed.

"There have been near misses for many years. They've done well in cups, especially in recent times, but they have always found it difficult to win the league.

"But I think they are genuine title contenders this season. They've always been a side who have had potential and now they are delivering it. They finally appear to have clicked. They're certainly looking consistent, and that is why where they are now.

"Manchester United and Liverpool have had a bit of a splutter and it's Chelsea who have slipped into key position. But it's still those three and Arsenal who will be around at the end of the season."

Leeds are set to reward James Milner, the youngest scorer in Premiership history, with a lucrative new contract. The winger is ready to agree a deal worth almost £1,000 a week next Saturday, his 17th birthday.

Milner was 16 years and 357 days old when his helped Leeds win at Sunderland on Thursday, eclipsing Everton striker Wayne Rooney from the record books by four days in scoring his side's first goal.

Leeds-born Milner has been a silver lining for Venables in what has otherwise been sombre times for the United boss since his arrival in July.

"In a nutshell he is a bloody good player," smiled Venables. "It's early days for him and he knows that, but he wouldn't be anywhere near this group at the age he is if he wasn't a talented player."

Milner is likely, however, to have to settle for a place on the bench again as Alan Smith should be fit to face the Londoners despite sustaining an eye injury on Wearside.

Centre-back Jonathan Woodgate, who missed the game at Sunderland with an ankle injury, will undergo a late fitness test tomorrow to determine his availability.

Confidence has at least returned to the players at Elland Road as Venables added: "The unbeaten run is what we've been looking for. It's a short run, but it's still what we need and we've got to keep going now. It would be great if we could get that home win."