2020-21 Premier League: Week 23 – Sheffield United vs Chelsea

Sheffield United welcome Chelsea to Bramall Lane in a huge Super Sunday clash in Sunday Night Football. 

Should West Brom fail to beat Tottenham on Sunday lunchtime, Sheffield Utd could move off the foot of the table with at least a point.

Chelsea meanwhile can go fifth with a win after West Ham could only draw at Fulham on Saturday evening.

 

Team News

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Enda Stevens could return for Sheffield Utd after recovering from a knock that has sidelined him in recent games.

Ben Osborn (calf) and George Baldock (thigh) could also feature but Ethan Ampadu misses out through ineligibility and joins Sander Berge (hamstring), Jack Robinson (unspecified) and Jack O’Connell (knee) in missing this match.

Chelsea could welcome Kurt Zouma and Kai Havertz back if the pair are deemed fit after recovering from knocks.

Thiago Silva is ruled out with a muscle injury suffered in Thursday’s win over Tottenham.

 

Stat Attack

• Sheffield Utd have taken four points from their last six league meetings against Chelsea (W1, D1, L4).
• Chelsea have won just one of four Premier League trips to Bramall Lane (W1, L3).
• Blades’ David McGoldrick has scored three goals in two league starts against Chelsea.
• Blues’ Thiago Silva has played more passes than any other Chelsea player in Premier League this season, making 1,496 passes in 17 league appearances.
• Chris Basham and Oliver Burke have been substituted more times than any other Sheffield Utd player in Premier League this season, having been subbed on nine occasions each.

 

Prediction

Sheffield Utd put in a strong attacking effort against West Brom in midweek and showed real confidence on the ball when under pressure, which could well cause issues for Chelsea when trying to make interceptions if the Blades are alert and able to swiftly react to attempted tackles.

Chelsea meanwhile dominated at Tottenham in midweek despite their winner coming from a penalty plus are yet to concede under Thomas Tuchel, so will certainly be looking to produce another impressive performance to build on their promising progress.

Bramall Lane though has been a tricky place for Chelsea to visit in the Premier League and with Chris Wilder’s Blades in strong form, I can see a potential shock coming if the Blues aren’t careful but I am going for a score draw here.

Prediction: Sheffield United 1-1 Chelsea

Result: Sheffield United 1-2 Chelsea