Chelsea welcomes Sheffield United to Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup quarterfinal. The Blues have yet to lose a match under Thomas Tuchel, but the German’s side did play a tight match against the Blades last time out. Sheffield United was lucky to score by way of an atrocious—and comical—Antonio Rudiger own goal; that’s not to say the game wasn’t nervy. There is a spot in the semifinals of the FA Cup on the line, who will seize the moment?
Here is how The Pride of London staff sees the match playing out:
Michael DeVito: 2-0 Chelsea
Why not other clean sheet? Kepa Arrizabalaga could concede though. Multiple substitutions, hopefully including Olivier Giroud, who will score. Maybe Billy Gilmour as a No. 6?
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Olaoluwa Nwobodo: 3-0 Chelsea
The Blues will need to go into this with the right attitude. They have to play against Sheffield United as if they’re playing against Atletico Madrid. This game is expected to be easy, and that’s exactly why it will not be. The home side has already beaten these opponents twice this season, it needs to make it three for three. The team is now defensively solid, it has a solid foundation to build on, starting with the FA Cup quarterfinals.
Scott Brant: 2-0 Chelsea
The Blues will manage to scratch and claw two goals over the line, maybe even an own goal and penalty. That combo seems to come up when we struggle. After such a high from beating Atletico in stunning fashion, certainly this may be a bit of a low with the scoreline not accurately conveying the match.
Gabe Henderson: 4-0 Chelsea
Tuchel will field a heavily rotated side, but the home side will cruise regardless. The Blades will get close to getting one back after the game is done and dusted. The Blues head into the international break on a high note and earn some momentum to ride going into the home stretch in a few weeks’ time. Tuchel’s team runs Sheffield United off the Stamford Bridge pitch.
Olly Smith: 3-0 Chelsea
It’s the FA Cup, so there’s always some magic in the air, but it’s time for Tuchel to rotate, rotate and rotate. Arrizabalaga, Giroud, Gilmour Christian Pulisic and Emerson should all start. Fingers crossed Chelsea goes ahead beyond a doubt and Tino Anjorin can get more than just a few minutes at the end.
Varun Dani: 3-0 Chelsea
Tuchel will rotate heavily for this one and the resultant team will not be as fluid. Sheffield United has nothing to lose with this, but simply will be unable to match up to the Blues’ quality. Prime time to score more than two goals for the first time.
Barrett Rouen: 3-0 Chelsea
I just don’t think Sheffield is in a very good place and we’ll take this seriously as it’s still our best chance of a trophy this season.
Anthony Gatt: 3-0 Chelsea
I believe the free fall of Sheffield United will continue with a 3-0 win for the Blues, especially without Chris Wilder still there. There is no reason the Blues shouldn’t take advantage of the coaching change and win comfortably.
Nate Hofmann: 1-1 Draw (Chelsea advances on penalties)
At this point, Sheffield United has nothing else to play for. Its manager is gone, it’s starting to get pumped by teams and relegation is a matter of when, rather than if. With the Blades fully in the death throes of their season, a shocking cup run is the only thing that could salvage this disaster of a campaign. That desperation, mixed with a small helping of arrogance from Tuchel’s men, could make this a better game than any Blues fan would be hoping for. This will either be over by halftime or go right down to the wire—I’m betting on the latter.
Tan Yi Hao: 3-0 Chelsea
Sheffield United is a club in disarray for some time now and its dismissal of Wilder has finally seen frustrations spill onto the pitch, having been on the wrong end of a 5-0 drubbing against Leicester City last time out. This presents a clear opportunity for the Blues to have themselves a comfortable victory to progress into the last four of this season’s FA Cup.
What is your score prediction? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!