Sheffield United vs Chelsea Match Preview
Sheffield United vs Chelsea will take place at Bramall Lane in the Premier League on April 7 as the 20th-placed side will host the 10th-placed side.
The Blades will enter this contest on the back of a poor run of form. They have won just once in their last seven games across competitions, drawing twice and losing four times. In that span, they have conceded a whopping 21 goals and have scored just nine goals. Having drawn 3-3 against Fulham, Sheffield lost 3-1 against Liverpool at Anfield in their last game. With relegation all but a formality, they were looking to end the season strong.
The Blues, on the other hand, entered this game on the back of a positive run of form. They were unbeaten in their six games across competitions leading up to this one, securing four wins and two draws in that time. Chelsea scored an impressive 20 goals in that time but also conceded a worrying 13 goals, averaging two goals shipped per game. They secured a heroic 4-3 win over Manchester United in their last game courtesy of a Cole Palmer hat-trick. The Blues were eager to maintain their unbeaten run heading into the next game.
With that said, let’s take a look at the team news coming out of both camps.
Sheffield United vs Chelsea Team News
Sheffield United
Manager Chris Wilder will have a considerably lengthy injury list to deal with ahead of his team’s next game. Multiple key players including Chris Basham, John Egan, Tom Davies, Rhian Brewster and George Baldock remain sidelined as the team have struggled all season.
Meanwhile, Gustavo Hamer and Jayden Bogle have picked up nine yellow cards apiece this season. Should either of them pick up another, they will be suspended for two games.
Chelsea
Manager Mauricio Pochettino will also be without a few key players for his team’s trip to Sheffield. Long-term absentees Wesley Fofana (cruciate ligament), Romeo Lavia (hamstring), Reece James and Lesley Ugochukwu (hamstring) will remain sidelined for the foreseeable future. Levi Colwill and Christopher Nkunku will also miss the next game.
Striker Nicolas Jackson faces the risk of being suspended for two games having already picked up nine yellow cards in the Premier League this season.
Sheffield United vs Chelsea Predicted Lineups
Sheffield United
Wilder will use the same lineup he used in the 3-1 defeat at Liverpool as they put up a decent fight.
Predicted XI: Ivo Grbic (GK); Mason Holgate, Anel Ahmedhodzic, Jack Robinson (C); Jayden Bogle, Vinicius Souza, Oliver Arblaster, Gustavo Hamer, Auston Trusty; James McAtee, Ben Brereton Diaz.
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Chelsea
Pochettino, too, will retain the same combination he used in the 4-3 win over Manchester United.
Predicted XI: Dorde Petrovic (GK); Malo Gusto, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Marc Cucurella; Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez; Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher (C), Mykhaylo Mudryk; Nicolas Jackson.
Sheffield United vs Chelsea Head-to-Head Record
These two teams have faced off fairly often in the last few years since Sheffield United’s return to the top flight. However, the Blues have been dominant to say the least, winning four of the last five meetings compared to one win for the Blades.
Last 5 Games
- Chelsea 2-0 Sheffield United (12/23)
- Chelsea 2-0 Sheffield United (03/21)
- Sheffield United 1-2 Chelsea (02/21)
- Chelsea 4-1 Sheffield United (11/20)
- Sheffield United 3-0 Chelsea (07/20)
Sheffield United vs Chelsea Prediction
Seeing the results in the last five meetings, as well as the two teams’ current forms, Chelsea stands out as the clear favourites to win this game. They have been in great goalscoring form of late and have played exciting football in the last few weeks. However, they cannot afford defensive slip-ups, having conceded at least two goals in each of their last six games.
Prediction: Sheffield United 1-3 Chelsea.
Sheffield United vs Chelsea Betting Tips & Odds
Both teams have scored in three of Sheffield United’s last five games. The same has happened in each of Chelsea’s last six games, pointing towards another game with end-to-end action. Each of Chelsea’s last six games have also seen at least three goals being scored, with the next one likely to go down the same path as well.
Betting Tips
- Both Teams to Score – Yes: 1.60
- Match Total – Over 3.5 Goals: 2.05
- Both Teams to Score in 1st Half – Yes: 3.70
Match Odds
- Sheffield United Win: 6.80
- Draw: 5.40
- Chelsea Win: 1.42
Sheffield United vs Chelsea Timings & Telecast
- Date & Time: Sunday, April 7th at 5:30 PM (GMT).
- India: Star Sports Network, Hotstar app & website.
- UK: Sky Sports.
- US: Peacock Premium.
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