Sheffield United will be looking to add Chelsea to their list of recently scalped teams when they host the Blues later today. After a season of woe, United have breathed some light into their relegation dog fight and have tallied some impressive results in recent weeks. Any point gained against Chelsea can only be positive against a side with a new manager who will be strong favourites to win in S2 tonight.

Sheffield United come into this game after completing 90 minutes on Tuesday night in a relegation six-pointer with West Brom at Bramall Lane and passed with flying colours despite falling behind to the Baggies in the first half. The visitors took the lead shortly before the break, on 41 minutes through former Blade Matt Phillips’ scrappy goal. The second half saw a rejuvenated United side that came back and beat Sam Allardyce’s side 2-1. On 56 minutes, after Chris Basham was crowded in the box, Jayden Bogle swung at a loose ball that left keeper Sam Johnstone stranded. The Blades netted the winner on 73 minutes with another scramble in the box after John Egan put the ball in, Billy Sharp fired home!

The result puts United on 11 points, equally Derby County’s low points tally in 2006/07, which is a Premier League record. Until that record is broken it’s a mantel that the Rams will struggle to shake off but seems highly likely that it won’t be Sheffield United that steals their shameful trophy. Though there is no guarantee that the Blades will embark on a great escape but the beast is firmly awake and are giving it a good go.

Brighton’s victory at Anfield in midweek certainly gave a round of applause from the neutrals as they beat Liverpool, the current reigning champions, by a single goal, but put a slight dent in the Blades plight as their relegation rivals moved slightly away from the bottom three, leaving United an eleven point bridge between themselves and 17th placed Burnley before this weekend’s fixtures.

The two sides have already met this season, 7th November, at Stamford Bridge. Despite the Blades taking an unexpected ninth-minute lead through David McGoldrick, when he deflected home Sander Berge’s, scuffed effort. Chelsea rallied and went onto win the game 4-1. Tammy Abraham (23 minutes) levelled the scores whilst Ben Chillwell netted at his near post eleven minutes later. The Blues added a further two goals in the second half from Thiago Silver and Timo Werner (77 & 80 minutes), in what was a sour evening for the Blades.

Chris Wilder is expected to be without a list of six players, though perhaps his biggest headache is finding a replacement for defender/midfielder Ethan Ampadu who is unable to play against his parent loan club. He may turn to Ben Osborn, who should return from a calf strain, or Jack Rodwell to fulfil his place.

United will also be without Jack O’Connell (knee), and Sander Berge (thigh), who are long-term casualties. Defender Jack Robinson (undisclosed is also ruled out whilst wing-backs George Baldock (thigh), and Enda Stevens (knock), will face late fitness tests in a race to be fit for today’s game.

 

 

CHELSEA

 

Chelsea head to Bramall Lane for the first of two back-to-back visits to South Yorkshire. Their fixture at Sheffield United, for three vital Premier League points, will likely be a high priority before facing Barnsley in the FA Cup in a few days time.

Chelsea had an amazing start to the season, losing once in the opening eleven Premier League games, before hitting a dry spell that then saw the Blues victorious in two matches in eight games. It was a dry spell that ultimately cost head coach, Frank Lampard, his job. On 25 January his was dismissed and replaced with former Borussia Dortmund and PSG manager Thomas Tuchel.

Having witnessed the 0-0 draw at home to Wolves from the stands, his first game in charge, last Sunday, saw the Blues beat Burnley 2-0 before registering a 1-0 victory in the London Derby at Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday, where a Jorginho penalty settled the game after Timo Werner was fouled by Eric Dier’s rash challenge – leaving the Blues three games unbeaten going into today’s game.

Chelsea is expected to be without three players ahead of their trip to South Yorkshire today. Thiago Silva, Kai Havertz and Kurt Zouma (all knocks), and aren’t expected to feature against Sheffield United. The latter was on target as the Blades dramatically drew 2-2 at Stamford Bridge last season when the defender scored an own goal on 89 minutes from Callum Robinson’s cross.

Match Officials

Referee: Kevin Friend.
Assistants: Simon Beck, Eddie Smart.
Fourth official: Andy Madley.
VAR: Simon Hooper. Assistant
VAR: Timothy Wood.

 Past Premier League Results… vs. Chelsea
1992/93 – Bramall Lane (W4-2), Stamford Bridge (W2-1)
1993/94 – Bramall Lane (W1-0), Stamford Bridge (L2-3)
2006/07 – Bramall Lane (L0-2), Stamford Bridge (L0-3)
2019/20 – Bramall Lane (W3-0), Stamford Bridge (D2-2)
2020/21 – Stamford Bridge (L 1-4)

Forthcoming Blades Fixtures;

*All fixtures are subject to change

10 Feb – Bristol City (h) – 19:30 (FAC5)
15 Feb – West Ham United (a) – 18:00
20 Feb – Fulham (a) – 15:00
27 Feb – Liverpool (h) – 15:00
06 Mar – Southampton  (h) – 15:00
13 Mar – Leicester City (a) – 15:00
20 Mar– Aston Villa (h) – 15:00
03 Apr – Leeds United (a) – 15:00
10 Apr – Arsenal (h) – 15:00
17 Apr – Wolverhampton Wanderers (a) – 15:00
24 Apr – Brighton & Hove Albion (h) – 15:00
01 May – Tottenham Hotspur (a) – 15:00
08 May – Crystal Palace (h) – 15:00
11 May – Everton (a) – 19:45
15 May – Newcastle United (a) – 15:00
23 May – Burnley (h) – 16:00