Chelsea vs Sheff Utd possible line-ups, Team news, and more

Chelsea is starting to build some serious momentum amid talk of turning corners and a possible title tilt, and the Blues have an opportunity to put three more points on the board on Saturday when they welcome a struggling Sheffield United team to Stamford Bridge.

The Blues warmed up for their bout with the Blades by beating Rennes 3-0 in the Champions League in mid-week, though Frank Lampard’s men needed some controversial calls to clear their route to victory.

Chelsea has now kept an impressive five clean sheets on the bounce – their first streak of that kind in over a decade – and the rapidly improving Blues built a head of steam by winning each of the last three of those ties.

Sheffield United’s miserable start to the 2020/21 campaign continued last weekend when the fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to Manchester City, who won the game thanks to a long-range bolt from former Blade Kyle Walker.

With six defeats from their opening seven matches, Chris Wilder’s men are second from bottom in the Premier League, and United’s return of just three goals from the season’s opening exchanges makes them the division’s joint-lowest scorers.

Five of United’s six defeats were swung in the wrong direction by one-goal margins, however, and though the Blades are rarely taken apart, their inability to put the ball in the net at the opposite end is a major concern.

Team injury news

Chelsea injuries and team news

Billy Gilmour remains in the treatment room for Chelsea, while Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Pulisic are also rated as doubtful.

Kai Havertz tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday and won’t feature this weekend.

Sheffield United injuries and team news

Lys Mousset, Jack O’Connell and John Fleck are a high-profile trio of absentees for the Blades this weekend.

On-loan Chelsea youngster Ethan Ampadu can’t play against his parent club and will watch on from the stands.

Stats to know (via Opta)

Sheffield United avoided defeat in both games against Chelsea last season (a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge and a 3-0 win at Bramall Lane).

Chelsea conceded two goals in 5 out of 6 home league games against the Blades.

Sheffield United have taken just one point from their last 30 available in the Premier League (1 draw and 9 defeats in 10 games).

Edouard Mendy could become just the fourth keeper to keep a clean sheet in each of his first four in the competition

Probable line-up

Mendy, Chilwell, Silva, Zouma, James, Jorginho, Kante, Mount, Werner, Ziyech, Abraham

Score predictions

Mark Lawrenson, BBC: Chelsea 2-0 Sheffield United

"Sheffield United just can't score goals. Since beating Chelsea 3-0 in July, they have only managed four in 10 league games - and two of those were penalties.

"They have picked up only one point in that spell when their performances haven't actually been that bad - so it is obvious where their problems lie.

"In contrast, Chelsea have scored 10 goals in their past three games and have not conceded in any of their past five. That is all very impressive, but I am still not wholly convinced.

"They should win on Saturday, but I am waiting for them to crack again."

Josh Wright, WhoScored: Chelsea 2-0 Sheffield United

"Chelsea have really turned the corner with both Edouard Mendy and Thiago Silva in the side.

"Sheffield United have only scored three goals all season and big-money signing Rhian Brewster is yet to get going for the Blades. They are unlikely to get much joy up against a Chelsea side that has improved significantly at the back in recent weeks. Anything other than a comfortable home win would be a real surprise on Saturday."

Quotes from the manager (via Chelsea FC)

Frank Lampard: "I want to be clear going into the game that Sheffield United are an amazing team with an incredible manager who if you look at the table, nowhere near should we take that as a guideline for the game we have in front of us.

"I watched them play Liverpool and Manchester City recently, who most people would say are the best teams in the league, and they ran them both very close. Sheffield United are still that great team that had such a great season last year so it is a very tough match."