Game Week 17 Predictions: Chelsea to beat Sheffield

Chelsea vs Sheffield United: Form, injuries, and predictions for crucial match.

Mauricio Pochettino and Chris Wilder are both on the hot seat, how will things pan out at the Stamford Bridge Stadium? (Photo credit: GOAL)

 Chelsea vs. Sheffield United

Stamford Bridge Stadium

4:00pm

Chelsea and Sheffield United are on the same form going into the last five games; they’re both in the bottom half, and both must win to steer clear of their respective challenges.

Chelsea has a chance to halt the rot and string some quality results together. Three losses and just a solitary win in their last five games is every shade of embarrassment for a club that has spent as much as Chelsea has in the last two windows. It’s time to step up the game.

Sheffield United fired Paul Heckingbottom to hire fans’ favorite Chris Wilder, and they may have made the perfect decision with the returning manager already helping the team to their first clean sheet of the season in a spirited 1-0 win over Brentford.

The win over the Bees didn’t take the Blades out of the drop zone, as they still sit at the base of the Premier League log, but they can draw inspiration and belief from the win to springboard and hope for a good streak over the festive season.

Chelsea lost again last weekend; it was a game many thought they’d pick something from. No disrespect to Everton; a trip to Goodison Park at this point should be encouraging, but the Toffees expertly dispatched Chelsea, leaving them 12^th on the log.

How will both teams approach this game? The visitors have it all to do, but they can go for it, with Chelsea showing some level of vulnerability at home this season. Less-equipped teams have gotten something at Stamford Bridge; the Blades can dream too.

Chelsea will be without the trio of Marc Cucurella, Reece James, and Robert Sanchez for the visit of Sheffield United. The trio picked up different injuries at different stages in the last few days, but there's big news for the Blues: Christopher Nkunku is in the squad to face Sheffield.

The former Leipzig man will face the Stamford Bridge crowd for the first time since penning a deal with them, and they will hope he comes good after having to wait for him for such a long time to make his official debut for the club.

Sheffield must defend well and plug some pockets that Cole Palmer can exploit. Chelsea ought to prevail in the midfield battles, but the Blades can grab second balls and hope Chelsea allows them to capitalize.

Chelsea’s game to lose because they’re playing at home and how much they need this, the Blues can’t afford to slip up. Expect some level of composure from the visitors; this means Chelsea must be patient with their buildup.

Verdict: Straight win Chelsea