Sheffield United vs Chelsea - Team News, Lineups, Prediction and Key Stats

Chelsea will be looking to maintain their impressive start under Thomas Tuchel as they face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane this weekend. The Blues beat Tottenham 1-0 on Thursday as a first-half penalty from Jorginho sealed a well-deserved victory.

The win at White Hart Lane means that’s now two wins from three under Tuchel with a seven-point return, but most importantly Chelsea have kept three clean sheets with Edouard Mendy relatively untroubled. Chelsea are now just four points behind fourth-placed Liverpool so it’s crucial Tuchel’s men keep putting wins together.

Sheffield United come into the game full of confidence after a huge win on Tuesday against fellow strugglers West Bromwich Albion thanks to a winner from club captain Billy Sharp 17 minutes from time. The Blades have picked up 6 points from their last 3 Premier League matches including a 2-1 win at Old Trafford against Manchester United. Recent results will give Chris Wilder’s men renewed belief they can beat the drop this season even though they remain 11 points off 17th placed Burnley.

In the reverse fixture back in early November Chelsea ran out 4-1 winners as Tammy Abraham, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva and Timo Werner all got on the scoresheet that evening. David McGoldrick sent the blades into a shock lead at Stamford Bridge but the defeat remains the Blades biggest of the season.

Team news

Thiago Silva is extremely likely to miss the trip on Sunday as he was forced off after just 36 minutes with an injury sustained to his upper leg in Thursday’s win. Andreas Christensen the man who replaced Silva in the centre of the back three, is set to start just his sixth Premier League game of the season with Kurt Zouma still side-lined. Rest and rotation has played a huge role in such an unusual season so it won’t be a surprise to see Tuchel utilise his squad.

Thomas Tuchel And Thiago Silva — Tuchel (Photo by Neil Hall/PA Images via Getty Images) – T. Silva (Photo by NEIL HALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Christian Pulisic who has started all 3 games on the bench since Tuchel was appointed could come in for Callum Hudson-Odoi to freshen up the forward line. Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham are also vying to lead the line as Timo Werner started and finished in both of Chelsea’s recent wins so Tuchel may decide to rest his fellow countryman.

Chelsea loanee Ethan Ampadu is ineligible for Sunday’s fixture against his parent club. Ampadu, who has been excellent the last month or so as part of Chris Wilder’s back three looks set to be replaced by former Everton captain Phil Jagielka. Jagielka was named man of the match in the 2-1 victory at Old Trafford just 10 days ago.

Jorginho on working with Thomas Tuchel: (ChelseaFC.com)

“The message he (Tuchel) is giving on what he wants is clear. We had our minds open to understand what he wanted as quick as possible.

“This group was humble to accept what he was coming to give to us.”

Match facts

Tuchel is the first Blues boss since Jose Mourinho’s first spell 17 years ago to keep a clean sheet in his first three matches in charge of the club.

None of the last 15 league meetings between Sheffield United and Chelsea at Bramall Lane have ended as a draw (nine Sheffield United wins, six Chelsea wins).

Sheffield United have won five of their last seven games in all competitions as many as they did in their previous 32.

Chelsea have won 10 of their last 12 Premier League games against sides starting the day bottom, with the exceptions being a 1-2 loss at Crystal Palace (October 2017) and a 3-3 draw with West Brom (September 2020).