Chelsea vs Sheffield United Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News
By Vayam Lahoti
A rejuvenated Chelsea side lock horns with struggling Sheffield United this weekend as Chris Wilder's men visit Stamford Bridge searching for their first league win this season.
The Blues will look to build on their recent run of wins and extend their five-match unbeaten run in the Premier League. After a string of woeful defensive displays during the start, Frank Lampard's side appear to have found the perfect balance between defence and attack, with a 3-0 win over Burnley at Turf Moor following a pedestrian display at Manchester United.
With the Blues' trajectory has been somewhere on the up, the Blades have made a miserable start to the campaign. Sheffield United are languishing in 19th in the table and despite some encouraging performances of late, pressure is mounting on Wilder and his men to kick-start the campaign.
Here's 90min's preview of the game.
Where to Watch
When is Kick-Off? Saturday 7 November
What Time is Kick-Off? 17:30 ( GMT )
Where is it Played? Stamford Bridge
TV Channel/ Live Stream? Sky Sports Main Event/ Sky Sports Premier League ( UK )
Referee? Jon Moss
Team News
Chelsea will be without Kai Havertz after he tested positive for coronavirus ahead of Wednesday's Champions League win over Rennes.
Christian Pulisic is a major doubt after pulling up in the warm-up last week, and while his hamstring injury is not thought to be serious, Lampard will not take any risks on a player who has only just returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a similar problem.
Billy Gilmour is the only other absentee for the Blues, who had the luxury of taking off a few players early in midweek.
As for Sheffield United, they'll be without Ethan Ampadu as he is ineligible to face his parent club, further limiting Wilder's defensive options with Jack O'Connell sidelined for the season too.
John Fleck and Lys Mousset have returned to training in limited capacity and it'll be a while before either of them return to action.
Predicted Lineups
Chelsea: Mendy; James, Silva, Zouma, Chilwell; Jorginho, Kante; Ziyech, Mount, Werner; Abraham
Sheffield United: Ramsdale; Basham, Egan, Stevens; Baldock, Berge, Norwood, Osborn, Lowe; McBurnie, Brewster
Recent Form
Chelsea have improved significantly of late, particularly in defence, with five clean sheets in as many games. New signings Edouard Mendy, Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell have brought a sense of calmness and composure to the backline as Chelsea now look much more comfortable while playing out from the back.
Convincing displays in all areas of the pitch have led to them bossing their Champions League group, while they currently lie sixth in the Premier League
Sheffield United, on the other hand, have been well below-par and nowhere the standards they set for themselves last term.
Although performances have improved in recent outings, it'll take something special to lighten up the mood in the dressing room as the Blades remain in the relegation zone with a sole point from their first seven matches.
Here's how both sides have fared in their last five games in all competitions.
Chelsea
Chelsea 3-0 Rennes (04/11)
Burnley 0-3 Chelsea (31/10)
Krasnodar 0-4 Chelsea (28/10 )
Manchester United 0-0 Chelsea (24/10)
Chelsea 0-0 Sevilla (20/10)
Sheffield United
Sheffield United 0-1 Manchester City (31/10)
Liverpool 2-1 Sheffield United (24/10)
Sheffield United 1-1 Fulham (18/10 )
Arsenal 2-1 Sheffield United (04/10)
Sheffield United 0-1 Leeds United (27/09)
Prediction
After making a stuttering start to the campaign, Chelsea have looked sharp as ever under Frank Lampard in recent weeks and the morale will be high in the dressing room.
Though they have a number of key players missing, Chelsea have the strength in-depth to avoid a massive drop in quality. With the articulate Hakim Ziyech pulling the strings and the deadly Timo Werner in fine form, it is difficult to see past a comfortable win for the home side.
Wilder's men are lacking confidence at the moment and even a draw in west London would be a great result for the Blades.
Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Sheffield United