Sheffield United v Chelsea – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Sheffield United host Chelsea in the English Premier League on Sunday. The hosts are 11 points off safety and have leaked 80 league goals this season. The Blues are just five points off sixth place and are looking for a first clean sheet in 13 matches.

Sheffield Form

The Blades sit bottom of the table, a full 11 points off safety. They have leaked 80 goals this season already and have -52 goal difference. Chris Wilder’s team have won just once in 14 league matches and their last 12 have seen 2+ goals conceded in each match. A 3-1 win at Luton preceded some heavy defeats.

There was a 5-0 home loss to Brighton and a 6-0 home thrashing by Arsenal. They conceded late to draw 2-2 at Bournemouth and then drew 3-3 at home to Fulham last weekend having led 3-1 after 85 minutes. In midweek, they were at 1-1 vs Liverpool after 75 minutes before losing 3-1. They were outshot 29-5 and had just 17% possession.

Sheffield Team News

Chris Wilder is missing four defenders for this match. Max Lowe, George Baldock Chris Basham and John Egan will all play no part. Vinicius Souza shook off an injury to play at Anfield and will start in midfield.

Tom Davies is absent in midfield and Rhian Brewster will play no part against his former club. Cameron Archer is doubtful up front. Ben Brereton Diaz is expected to lead the line in preference to Oliver McBurnie.

Sheffield Motivation

To have even the slightest chance of staying up, Sheffield United need a win here. They have been close to getting wins or draw in recent weeks before leaking late goals.

A back five is expected and even at home, they may have less than 30% of the possession. A draw would be a good result in isolation.

Chelsea Form

The Blues somehow turned a 3-2 deficit after 96 minutes into a 4-3-win vs Man Utd on Thursday. They outshot United 28-19 with 1.55 Expected Goals differential. Chelsea have only lost once in ten matches in all competitions, the 1-0 Carabao Cup final loss to an injury-ravaged Liverpool.

After drawing 2-2 at Brentford, they won 3-2 at home to Newcastle as the leaky defending continued. A 4-2 home win over Leicester followed in the FA Cup. After the FIFA break, Chelsea surrendered a 2-1 lead to draw 2-2 at home to ten-man Burnley.

Chelsea Team News

Mauricio Pochettino is without Reece James, Levi Colwill and Ben Chilwell in defence. Trevoh Chalobah could be recalled in place of either Benoit Badiashile or Marc Cucurella.

Christopher Nkunku, Romeo Lavia and Lesley Ugochukwu are out injured. Noni Madueke and Carney Chukwuemeka are pushing for starts in the forward areas.

Chelsea Motivation

This is a must-win match for Chelsea. Failing to beat cannon fodder in Sheffield United would reflect terribly on Pochettino.

The Blues can close the gap to the top six and still make it into Europe. A draw would feel like a loss.

Key Stats

Sheffield United have won once in 14 EPL matches.

Sheff Utd have conceded 34 goals in their last 10 matches (all competitions)

Chelsea have kept no clean sheets in their last 12 matches (25 goals leaked)

Chelsea have lost just once in 10 matches (all competitions)

Chelsea’s Cole Palmer has scored 19 goals this season (8 penalties)

Verdict

On paper, Chelsea should win this match by a couple of goals. Their form is very unpredictable though and the defence is leaking goals. A win with both teams to score could be good value. Cole Palmer is the man to back in the goalscorer market.

Best Bet: Chelsea win and both to score at 2.50

Value Bet: Chelsea win and over 3.5 goals at 2.60

Goalscorer Tip: Cole Palmer first goalscorer at 4.00

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis