Mark Lawrenson claims Sheffield United 'had the heart ripped out of their club' & makes Chelsea prediction

The Blues will go into the game in significantly more upbeat spirits than the Blades, having progressed to the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a 2-0 (3-0 agg.) win over Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening.

In his weekly predictions column for BBC Sport, pundit Mark Lawrenson backed a 2-0 Chelsea win.

Explaining his decision, Lawro stated: "Sheffield United were mauled by Leicester last week in their first game without Chris Wilder in charge.

“Wilder didn't lose his job because he had lost the dressing room - far from it - and the Blades looked like a team who have just had the heart ripped out of their club.

“They are not going to bounce back here, either. Chelsea might not be too exciting to watch under Tuchel, but they know how to get the job done.”

Meanwhile, Lawro's celebrity sparring partner for the week, racing driver Billy Monger, also tipped the west London club to win 2-0.

The two sides have already faced each other twice this season - back in November, Chelsea, then under Frank Lampard, stormed to a 4-1 win at Stamford Bridge despite David McGoldrick giving United an early lead, while the Blues also triumphed in their meeting last month, with a narrow 2-1 victory at Bramall Lane.

While the Blades have endured a dire 2020/21 Premier League season, their FA Cup campaign has brought United fans at least some joy, with wins over Bristol Rovers, Plymouth Argyle, and Bristol City thus far.