Team
news, stats and prediction ahead of Chelsea vs Sheffield United in the
Premier League.
Team news
N'Golo Kante is still injured for Chelsea after missing last weekend's win
at Norwich, with Pedro also sidelined. Antonio Rudiger is continuing his
recovery from injury but will not be ready to play, instead continuing his
rehabilitation with a run-out for the Blues' U23 side on Friday night.
Sheffield United's record signing Oli McBurnie could be handed his first
Premier League start. The forward scored his first goal for the club in the
defeat to Leicester last weekend and could be rewarded with a place in the
team at Stamford Bridge, having been withdrawn at half-time during the EFL
Cup win against Blackburn in midweek.
Manager Chris Wilder made 10 alterations for that second round tie and
wholesale changes are expected again.
Opta stats
Chelsea and Sheffield United last faced off in the Premier League in the
2006-07 season, with the Blues winning both contests without conceding a
goal.
Sheffield United are looking for their first away win against Chelsea since
October 1992, when they won their first Premier League visit there 2-1 with
goals from Adrian Littlejohn and Brian Deane.
On the day of this game, it will be 96 years and 328 days since Sheffield
United kept an away clean sheet against Chelsea, a 0-0 draw in October 1922;
the Blades have conceded in all 30 games since.
All four of Chelsea's Premier League goals in 2019-20 have been scored by
Englishmen; the highest such 100 per cent record in the competition this
season (Mount x2, Abraham x2).
Since a 2-3 loss at Chelsea on the final day of the 1993-94 season,
Sheffield United have failed to score more than once in their last 20
Premier League away games, netting just nine goals in that run.
Chelsea's Mason Mount is looking to score in three consecutive appearances
for the first time in English league football. However, Mount found the net
in three consecutive Dutch league games (inc. play-offs) back in May 2018
for Vitesse.
Chelsea's Tammy Abraham has scored more goals than any other English player
in the top two tiers since the start of last season (inc. play-offs), with
his brace against Norwich last time out taking his total to 28.
Charlie Nicholas' prediction
Frank Lampard badly needed the win at Norwich, and Chelsea played well going
forward - they know they have frailties at the back. Pedro looks to be
relishing working with Lampard. Tammy Abraham had a lot of pressure on him
but he is up and running so has done well. Lampard wants Mason Mount to play
up with the strikers and he has identified this, he is so gifted and
talented.
It has been a good start for Sheffield United, so they may be ready to say
it is about being dogged, not just having energy. There is a feeling within
Chelsea at the moment that the fans will demand a win and Lampard will
demand a performance, which they will get, but not without its difficulties.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 3-1 (10/1 with Sky Bet)
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