Date: Saturday 16th December, 2023
Time: 3:00 pm
Stadium Stamford Bridge
Referee Andrew Madley (England)
Goal Scorer:
Chelsea
Mauricio Pochettino has a new injury concern hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Against Sheffield United on Saturday, the Chelsea manager might be bereft of the services of as many as a dozen first-team players.
Robert Sanchez (knee), Reece James (hamstring), and Marc Cucurella (ankle) are the latest absentees for Chelsea. The trio picked up their fitness issues last weekend against Everton and will not take on Sheffield United.
The three players have joined Wesley Fofana (knee), Ben Chilwell (hamstring), Trevoh Chalobah (thigh), Lesley Ugochukwu (knock), and Carney Chukwuemeka (knee) in the treatment room. Meanwhile, Pochettino is sweating over the fitness of Malo Gusto, Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku, and Noni Madueke.
Djordje Petrovic will deputise for Sanchez between the sticks, with Chelsea lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him. A makeshift defensive quartet should feature Axel Disasi, Thiago Silva, Benoit Badiashile, and Levi Colwill.
As for the midfield unit, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo should pair up in the double pivot. The duo will receive defensive support from Conor Gallagher, who will don the armband in Reece James’s absence. Finally, the attacking department will likely feature Nicolas Jackson, Raheem Sterling, and Cole Palmer.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Disasi, Silva, Badiashile, Colwill; Fernandez, Caicedo; Palmer, Gallagher, Sterling; Jackson
Sheffield
Unlike his counterpart in the Chelsea dugout, Chris Wilder has greeted a positive update on the team news front ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge. The Sheffield United manager will be without seven first-team players on Saturday.
Oliver Norwood and Ollie McBurnie have served their suspensions and are available to take on Chelsea. Meanwhile, George Baldock should be fit enough to feature in the matchday squad. But there is a fresh absentee, with Jack Robinson serving a one-match ban after picking up his fifth booking this season last weekend.
Robinson has joined Chris Basham (ankle), Rhys Norrington-Davies (thigh), John Egan (ankle), Tom Davies (hamstring), Rhian Brewster (thigh), and Daniel Jebbison (illness) on the sidelines.
Sheffield United will line up in a defensive-minded 4-5-1 formation against Chelsea, with Wes Foderingham featuring between the sticks. Meanwhile, Robinson’s absence means Max Lowe will start as the left-back, with Auston Trusty moving into the central defensive pairing with Anel Ahmedhodzic. Jayden Bogle will complete the numbers at the back.
As for the midfield unit, Oliver Norwood will return to the starting eleven, with Vinicius Souza and Gustavo Hamer providing defensive support. The trio will look to keep things tight in the middle of the park, with Hamer also providing the creative impetus.
Hamer and James McAtee will be the creative workhorses for Sheffield United, with the latter being the visitors’ best player. Finally, Ollie McBurnie should spearhead the Sheffield United attack against Chelsea, with Cameron Archer completing the numbers in the offensive unit.
Probable Lineup (4-5-1): Foderingham; Bogle, Ahmedhodzic, Trusty, Lowe; McAtee, Souza, Norwood, Hamer, Archer; McBurnie
Prediction: Chelsea 1-0 Sheffield United
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