All you need to know about Sheffield United's visit to Chelsea

Sheffield United hope this evening’s visit to Chelsea will see them record their first win of the new Premier League campaign, after losing six and drawing one of their seven outings so far.
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The Star analyses some of the statistics surrounding both teams, the stories of their seasons so far and identifies the key names set to be involved.

The Possible Teams: Chelsea - Mendy, Chilwell, Zouma, Silva, James, Jorginho, Mount, Kante, Werner, Abraham, Ziyech. United - Ramsdale, Basham, Egan, Stevens, Lowe, Baldock, Osborn, Berge, Lundstram, Brewster, McBurnie.

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The Referee: Jonathan Moss will take charge at Stamford Bridge, assisted by Marc Perry and Simon Long, while Kevin Friend is scheduled to perform VAR duties at Stockley Park Stuart Attwell is the fourth official. Aged 50 and from West Yorkshire, Moss averages 3.66 cautions per game this season, compared to 3.18 last term, when he booked five players during United’s win over AFC Bournemouth at Bramall Lane in February, Moss has refereed Chelsea twice since then, issuing five yellow cards during their meetings with Norwich City and West Bromwich Albion.

The Form Guide: Chelsea enter the match unbeaten in 10, although one of the five draws they have recorded during this run came during a Carabao Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur, when they were eventually knocked out on penalties. The clean sheet they kept during Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Rennes in the Champions League was their fifth in a row in all competitions. They have scored 10 times across the course of those games. United have netted four since returning to action in September, with David McGoldrick claiming exactly half.

The History Lesson: This will be the 83rd meetings between these two clubs, 113 years after they first met in 1907. United have won 28, or 34 per cent, of the previous 82 compared to Chelsea’s success rate of 46 per cent (36 victories). The last of the 16 draws they played out came in the corresponding fixture last season, when a Callum Robinson effort and Kurt Zouma own goal saw Chris Wilder’s side come from 2-0 down. United last won at Stamford Bridge in 1992.

The Last Time Out: McGoldrick scored twice, either side of an Oli McBurnie effort, when United beat Chelsea at Bramall Lane in July. United enjoyed only 24 per cent of the possession during the game, but Lampard acknowledged they were better in “every department” afterwards. Both teams recorded four shots on target apiece, while McGoldrick’s goals were his first of the Premier League season.

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The Dangermen: Timo Werner, a £45m signing from RB Leipzig, has scored nine times in his first 15 appearances for Chelsea. Four of those strikes have come in his last three

Chelsea's head coach Frank Lampard and his team face Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge this evening: Clive Rose/Pool via APChelsea's head coach Frank Lampard and his team face Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge this evening: Clive Rose/Pool via AP
Chelsea's head coach Frank Lampard and his team face Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge this evening: Clive Rose/Pool via AP

outings, including a brace during this week’s CL tie. Hakim Ziyech, previously of Ajax, has netted twice in his last three appearances.

The Details: Chelsea versus Sheffield United, Stamford Bridge, kick-off 5.30pm. Up to the minute coverage and pre and post match analysis is available via The Star on our print, online and social media platforms.

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