Chelsea will host Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening, eager to bounce back from a recent dip in form.
The Blues’ Premier League performance has wavered, securing only one win in their last five games and finding themselves closer to the relegation zone than the top four in terms of points.
Their 2-0 loss to Everton last weekend, coupled with the absence of captain Reece James due to injury, has added to their challenges.
Chelsea’s defensive options are now limited, especially as they prepare to face Sheffield United, with the team having secured just one clean sheet in their last 12 home league games and conceding at least twice in their last four matches.
Facing Sheffield, who secured their second Premier League win of the season against Brentford, Chelsea is aware of the challenge. Sheffield, buoyed by the reappointment of Chris Wilder, is seeking their first away league win this season, having not triumphed on the road.
Team News
Christopher Nkunku is ready to make his Chelsea debut at home to Sheffield United on Saturday after having recovered from injury.
But James, Roberto Sanchez and Marc Cucurella are all out after suffering injuries in the Everton loss. The trio now join Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana, Ben Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka, Trevoh Chalobah and Lesley Ugochukwu in the sick bay.
Meanwhile, Sheffield will be without Jack Robinson who picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in the beating of Brentford last weekend.
Chris Basham (ankle), John Egan (foot), Tom Davies (thigh), Rhys Norrington-Davies (thigh), Rhian Brewster (thigh) and Daniel Jebbison (illness) are also out of this game for Sheffield due to injuries.
Match Facts
Chelsea have won five of their past seven Premier League games against Sheffield United, drawing one and losing the other.
Sheffield United’s most recent win over the Blues was a 3-0 top-flight victory at Bramall Lane in July 2020 during Chris Wilder’s first spell in charge.
The Blades haven’t kept a clean sheet in 29 league trips to Stamford Bridge since a goalless draw in October 1922.
Chelsea are vying to win successive Premier League home fixtures for the first time since a run of three from August to October last year.
The Blues have lost 22 of their 47 matches in all competitions in 2023, the most defeats they’ve suffered in a calendar year since 1993.
Sheffield United are vying to win back-to-back Premier League games for the first time since July 2020.
The Blades are the only team in the division without an away league victory this season, taking one point from seven matches.
Probable Line-ups
Chelsea: Petrovic; Disasi, Silva, Badiashile, Colwill; Fernandez, Caicedo; Sterling, Gallagher, Palmer; Jackson
Sheffield: Foderingham; Bogle, Ahmedhodzic, Trusty, Lowe; McAtee, Norwood, Souza, Hamer, Archer; McBurnie
