Stamford Bridge will host an all-important FA Cup quarter-final tie come Sunday afternoon as Thomas Tuchel’s upbeat Chelsea outfit take on Premier League relegation favourites Sheffield United.
With a semi-final spot up for grabs in the most prestigious cup competition across the land, both sides are expected to engage in a close contest over the weekend.
Tuchel’s men were most recently involved in the win over Atletico Madrid, one which ensured the Blues going through to the last eight of the UEFA Champions League with an aggregate scoreline of 3-0.
Big up the boss! 🙌
Congrats on setting a new club record, gaffer 💪
📝 13 games unbeaten in all competitions – the longest ever unbeaten start by a manager in Chelsea's history! 💙 pic.twitter.com/9QGeWp8HQD
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 18, 2021
An impressive 13-game-long unbeaten run under Tuchel’s charge has earned the west Londoners huge plaudits from far and wide and the Chelsea gaffer would hope to see his players emulate a similar run of form when playing hosts to the Blades.
The Bramall Lane outfit have endured a torrid campaign and look all set to suffer the dismay of relegation to the second tier of English football but Sunday’s outing at Stamford Bridge provides the Blades with a major opportunity to end their faltering season on a high.
Despite all odds stacked against them, Sheffield United’s chances of causing a major upset on Sunday afternoon should not be ruled out, even if the familiar face of Chris Wilder would no longer be present in the dugout.
Wilder’s sacking has left the Blades in further distress and the latest outing for Yorkshire-based outfit ended in a 5-0 defeat at the hands of the runaway leaders Manchester City.
WHEN AND WHERE?
Date – 21 March Sunday
Time – 12:30 PM GMT
Venue – Stamford Bridge
TEAM NEWS
Tuchel is tipped to make wholesale changes to his Blues XI in the upcoming fixture and award some time off to key first-team regulars who have been ever-present of late.
Kepa Arrizabalaga is one name currently on the fringes at Stamford Bridge who is in line to be drafted back into the Chelsea eleven for the weekend showdown as the first-choice Edouard Mendy is awarded some well-deserved rest.
The likes of Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech are also expected to drop down to the bench after the pairing’s heroics during the second leg win over Atletico Madrid, giving Tuchel an opportunity to recall upon the much-experienced name of Olivier Giroud.
Tammy Abraham and Thiago Silva remain absent due to long-term injury troubles.
KEY BATTLE
Olivier Giroud vs Aaron Ramsdale
Giroud is right in the mix to grab a rare outing for the Blues in light of the Werner-Havertz-Ziyech combine becoming Tuchel’s go-to option with Chelsea excelling since the German coach took charge.
The World Cup-winning France international, however, has a brilliant chance to show his worth which he has done so very often come Sunday against a fragile-looking Blades backline.
He would have a tough task at hand nevertheless in getting the better of an increasingly influential figure in the Sheffield United ranks, Aaron Ramsdale, as the goalie remains his usual ever-present form between the sticks despite the Blades’ woeful run of form.
MATCH PREDICTION
The Blues seem certain favourites to emerge victors from the forthcoming cup tie amid what has been a majestic turnaround at Stamford Bridge.
Going up against a misfiring Sheffield United side, Thomas Tuchel and Co. would be oozing with confidence accruing out of recent results and another victory on the cards appears beyond doubt for Chelsea.
