Chelsea score predictions: Cautious optimism at Sheffield

Chelsea travels to Bramall Lane to take on Sheffield United at the weekend, here’s how The Pride of London writers are feeling about the match.

The reverse fixture saw Chelsea give away a two-goal lead late in the game. The Blades were in cracking form then—and they’re starting to get hot again. The Blues, however, have also been scorching since the restart, a hiccup at the London Stadium aside. Sheffield isn’t challenging for a top four spot any longer, but the newly promoted club still has a lot to play for. 

This is a deceitful match. While it looks like one of the easiest games remaining on the schedule, it’s anything but simple. Our staff is optimistic, but cautiously. Here is The Pride of London’s score predictions for the trip to Bramall Lane:

Ishan Shah: 2-2 Draw

After finding their goal scoring form against Spurs and grinding out a win against Wolves, I think the Blades capable of getting a result against Chelsea. They will score one from a set piece. With Sheffield knowing that Jorginho will start for sure, it will set up a game plan to negate his presence on the ball and exploit his defensive weaknesses. The Blues will go a goal or two down, but will salvage a draw.

Varun Dani: 1-2 Chelsea

Sheffield will be very well drilled to frustrate Chelsea with its formation treading towards a five-at-the-back. The Blades’ game plan will be to exploit the Blues’ set-piece incompetence, strike early and hold onto the lead with a pragmatic approach. Expect them to also hit us on the break, knowing all too well about Jorginho’s defensive fragility.

It will be difficult game, but Chelsea has a lot more at stake than Sheffield; with Manchester United and Leicester City breathing down our necks. One bad result and the Blues could drop down to fifth, so three points are an absolute must in this game and every game from now. Thankfully, the trio of Christian Pulisic, Olivier Giroud and Willian are in great from, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tammy Abraham making up the impact subs. We will win because we have to, by hook and crook or with beautiful football.

Olaoluwa Nwobodo: 1-3 Chelsea

Why not continue scoring three goals, eh? Sheffield United has not been playing well since the restart. Chelsea has four wins from five. I fully expect the Blues to continue their winning run against a not-in-form Blades team. Though it wouldn’t be the first time that a team in bad form would use Chelsea to boost its confidence

Gabe Henderson: 1-3 Chelsea

The Blues are going to bring their shooting boots. Expect goals from Willian, Loftus-Cheek and Pulisic with the Brazilian sealing the deal. Kurt Zouma will help steady the defense, but a goal will still fall for Sheffield at the expense of his counterpart—whoever it may be. Still, the result is a good one regardless as the west Londoners stay ahead of the trailing few for third place.

Nathaniel Kay: 1-1 Draw

Sheffield United, once the team who never conceded goals, has now also begun to score them after a mini drought post-lockdown. Chelsea can’t seem to keep a clean sheet against anyone and with the Blades back to some sort of form, this is set to be a tricky tie at Brammall Lane. The Blues typically score first, but expect a cross or a set piece to be their downfall. If Jorginho starts, and has a solid performance, all three points may just be coming back to Stamford Bridge.

Michael DeVito: 1-2 Chelsea

Chelsea continues winning amidst all the new injuries. The Blues have to get by Dean Henderson, but fear not because Pulisic and Willian are a dynamic duo. They’ll find the breakthroughs somehow. The defense has been better with Zouma, but the keeper situation is not the best.

Scott Brant: 0-2 Chelsea

The reason our Blues get a clean sheet has little to do with our defense and more to do with the attack. I believe we are going to possess a lot of the ball, and Sheffield United won’t mind. We’ll have lots of good chances, Sheffield’s hard work by the defense keeps it to only two. Jorginho to be carded, Willian and Pulisic to score, because they always seem to do so.

Kevin Peacock: 0-1 Chelsea

No doubt Sheffield United has punched above its weight this season. However, the restart has seen the Blades struggle for form. Chelsea has done ok post-lockdown other than the blip against West Ham, but the Blues too have been far from convincing in parts.

All that matters though is the result. The game will probably hinge on a moment of brilliance, an unfortunate mistake or, more likely, a shocking VAR decision. The Blades certainly don’t deserve another one of those. As Blues fans we can only hope the one goal that eventually decides the game goes to Chelsea. Mason Mount has played well in the last couple of games and gets the crucial goal.

Abhishek Pancholi: 2-3 Chelsea

A hilariously inept performance from yet another centerback pairing will overshadow Pulisic’s attacking excellence.

Barrett Rouen: 1-3 Chelsea

just don’t see us keeping a clean sheet. I am hoping that we see the exact same back-line as the last match and maybe that leads to some improvement there. This has nothing to do with the prediction but I am sad to hear that it’s most likely Zouma, despite very obviously being our best defender, who is also the one most likely to leave. Hopefully, this is the match where Kepa starts to be the young king he’s supposed to be.  Tammy to score because he’s a prince.

Kade Kistner: 1-3 Chelsea

Chelsea has proven since the restart that it will concede goals to clubs no matter the form.

Furthermore, the Blues have been prolific in their goal scoring ability. I think Chelsea figures it out defensively against Sheffield, but not enough to keep a clean sheet. I just don’t think Sheffield has it in itself to take on and ultimately best a team fighting for their proverbial Champions League life.

Nate Hofmann: 1-0 Sheffield

Alright, I’ll be ‘that guy.’  Chris Wilder’s side is just a nightmare to play against, and the Blades match up well against Chelsea. Their 3-5-2 gives them advantages all over the pitch, and they’ve rounded into form after an ugly start coming off the COVID-19 break.

Add in Sheffield’s vastly superior physicality in the middle of the pitch, and it becomes hard to see how Chelsea can gain a foothold, let alone dominate proceedings.  Don’t be surprised when Lys Mousset pops up late to score the only goal of the game, and Chelsea’s path to Champions League suddenly becomes much trickier.

Oliver Smith: 1-3 Chelsea

Sheffield will pose problems for Chelsea, and with the Blues frailty at the back, expect Sheffield to score—knowing Chelsea—from a set piece situation. However, the attacking trio of Pulisic, Giroud and Willian has been in scintillating form, so there will absolutely be goals in those three. For the last series of predictions, I’ve said Loftus-Cheek will score, so I’m sticking with it. RLC to pot one in the last 10′ of the game.

What are your score predictions for the match? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!