England Premier League
Saturday 31st August 2019
Kick off at 3pm BST
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Match Preview:
Frank Lampard will look back at the beginning of his managerial career with Chelsea and say that it was full of ups and downs right from the start. It’s certainly been an interesting few weeks for Lampard experiencing a heavy 4-0 loss against Manchester United but drawing 2-2 with Liverpool in the Super Cup, only to lose on penalties. A 1-1 home draw against Leicester was disappointing on reflection, given it was Lampard’s first game at home coaching the team.
Then came the game against newly promoted Norwich. This was the most exciting and unpredictable match that Lampard has faced and Chelsea came through it 3-2 after a few scares. The Blues first win of the season was much needed and this home game against another newly promoted team in Sheffield United could and should offer Lampard and his team another three points.
Clearly there is a worry at the back given that Chelsea have conceded in every game they have played but with the likes of Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount coming through the ranks and looking excellent for their age there could be a lot to get excited about by Chelsea this season and in the coming years.
Sheffield United’s objective this season is not to do the inevitable and get dragged down to the bottom of the table and spend their season back in the Premier League fighting for survival. They have got off to a decent start claiming 4 points from their first 3 games- the same as their hosts.
The Blades lost their last game, their first loss of the season, against Leicester 2-1 at home. Even with a defeat they played some good football and the game was quite close, but away to Chelsea this will be an uphill task for Chris Wilder and his team, who will have to play the majority of the game without possession. Having said that there is a naivety that seems to rise to the surface with this Chelsea side and there is no reason that United won’t be able to pull a Leicester and come away with at least a point.
Team News:
Chelsea: Mason Mount is a slight doubt with a calf strain but could still make the final cut. N’Golo Kante may return from his ankle injury but will be assessed. Pedro could miss this game with a hamstring injury. There are longer term injuries to Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Sheffield United: Bryan Kean has a slight knock but will be assessed. John Fleck is recovering from a hamstring injury, but has been pencilled in to return for this game
Chelsea vs Sheffield Utd Head to Head:
The last time the teams met was in 2007 when Chelsea who were at home won 3-0.
In recent times the clubs have only played each other twice and Chelsea have won both games.
Chelsea vs Sheffield Utd Prediction:
Sheffield United will not roll over and to be fair it seems that no Premier League teams will this season. However the plain truth is that Chelsea do have a much stronger team than United and they are at home. The pieces need to start clicking for Lampard because even though his job will be safe under all of the circumstances he is facing, if his team draw or lose this game there will be pressure growing on him. So even if his job isn’t under immediate threat his willingness to do well and be a winner will be dented, and from a punters view of the game Chelsea will become incredibly difficult to trust.
As for Sheffield United, Chris Wilder will tell his players to keep it compact and enjoy this game, after all they are playing the 2017 league champions, and that must be kept in perspective. It’s difficult to look past a home win here though, and the Norwich victory even if the match was very close in the end should have given a positive jolt of confidence to the whole squad.
Chelsea vs Sheffield Utd Betting Tips:
Chelsea to score 2+ goals at 1.44
Chelsea to be winning at half time at 1.80
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