With minimal rest and recovery time after Thursday evening's pulsating 4-3 victory over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea head north to face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane this evening.

The unique kick-off time – 5.30pm on a Sunday – is its only instance outside of Boxing Day in the Premier League. The reason? To avoid a clash with the Sheffield half-marathon which takes place earlier in the day.

The Blues are about to enter the final quarter of the league campaign. We currently sit ninth in the table, five points behind Manchester United in sixth but with at least one game in hand on the sides above us.

Over the next eight days, Mauricio Pochettino's side could have a big say in which clubs end the season in the drop zone. Sheffield United come this afternoon. Everton then visit Stamford Bridge on Monday week.

The Blues should head to Sheffield in good spirits. Our dramatic turnaround against United on Thursday was the latest recorded in Premier League history – and a victory at Bramall Lane would move us within striking distance of the Europa League places.

Chelsea have failed to keep a clean sheet in eleven league away trips. Far from ideal. However, the Blues are on the longest consecutive goalscoring run in the Premier League (13 matches).

Chelsea team news

When the two sides met in December at the Bridge, second-half goals from Cole Palmer and Nico Jackson settled the contest.

The Blues enjoyed 78 per cent of the ball but found Chris Wilder’s compact, counter-attacking 4-5-1 system a tough nut to crack. Eight of our 15 shots that day were attempted from outside the box.

It’s unlikely the pattern of the game is too different this weekend, with neither side having too much time to work tactically following Thursday night matches.

With several players still sidelined for the Blues, another youthful Chelsea bench is expected at Bramall Lane.

Pochettino has selected the youngest array of substitutes in the top flight this season – the average age of 22 years and 129 days being almost two years younger than the next oldest (Liverpool, 23 years and 361 days).

The swift turnaround could mean starts for fresher players such as Trevoh Chalobah, Carney Chukwuemeka and Raheem Sterling while Ben Chilwell could return after illness.

Goal contributions in all competitions 2023/24

Opposition scout – Sheffield United

Despite Gustavo Hamer forcing an equaliser away at title-chasing Liverpool on Thursday, a lapse from goalkeeper Ivo Grbic eventually resulted in Wilder's side suffering a 3-1 defeat at Anfield.

Prior to Fulham’s visit last weekend, Sheffield United had been heavily beaten three times in a row at Bramall Lane: 0-5 against Aston Villa and Brighton and 0-6 to Arsenal.

A more conservative approach against our west London neighbours produced a goalless first half, but for the second time in three weeks, United then squandered the two-goal lead they opened up in the second period.

On loan from Villarreal, Brereton-Diaz has hit four goals in six games for the Yorkshire club. Newly-anointed captain Jack Robinson, meanwhile, registered his first goal for the Blades at Bournemouth.

Although Sheffield United are the league’s lowest scorers – 28 goals so far – Wilder’s side do work the ball wide and pile bodies into the box after reclaiming possession from their opponents.

The back of their net has been found 58 times from open play this campaign, 17 more than nearest rivals Burnley and Brentford.

Chelsea will also have noted the Blades' susceptibility at set-pieces. Only four teams have conceded more while only Burnley (44.1 per cent) have won fewer aerial challenges (45.5 per cent).

As is the case across the Premier League this season, Wilder’s pack is ravaged by injuries, notably to regular starters Cameron Archer and George Baldock. Vinicius Souza did return at Anfield.

The history

We have visited Bramall Lane on three occasions since the turn of the millennium. We have twice come away victorious.

In October 2006, Hilario dived low to save Danny Webber’s 17th-minute penalty before Frank Lampard scored a free kick and teed up Michael Ballack for a header to deliver a 2-0 scoreline.

In February 2021, in a game played behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a mix-up between Antonio Rudiger and Edouard Mendy gifted the hosts an equaliser and cancelled out Mason Mount's opener.

A penalty from Jorginho after Timo Werner had been felled ensured we collected three points. It was the eleventh occasion in 13 league matches Chelse had defeated a team that started the day bottom of the table.

Of course, this is not the first occasion Chelsea have faced a Sheffield United team desperate for points. Forty years ago on 7 May 1994, Glenn Hoddle’s Blues played host to the Blades with four teams in danger of joining Oldham and Swindon through the trapdoor.

Everton were bottom on 41 points while Dave Bassett’s side were on 42 along with Ipswich and Southampton.

With 15 minutes remaining, the visitors led 2-1 at the Bridge – Jakob Kjeldbjerg with the Blues’ equaliser). Everton, meanwhile, trailed 2-1 and Ipswich were goalless at Blackburn.

Then came the Mark Stein show in what proved the last hurrah of the old Shed End. Eager to prove his fitness ahead of our FA Cup final, the striker levelled on 76 minutes and scored the winner soon after.

News then came through that Everton had rallied to win 3-2. That result coupled with Ipswich’s stalemate at Ewood Park consigned United to what is now the Championship.

Race for Europe – Next four matches

7) West Ham: Fulham (H), Crystal Palace (A), Liverpool (H), Chelsea (A)
8) Newcastle: Tottenham (H), Crystal Palace (A), Sheffield United (H), Burnley (A)
9) Chelsea: Sheff Utd (A), Everton (H), Arsenal (A), A Villa (A)
10) Brighton: Burnley (A), Man City (H), Bournemouth (A), Aston Villa (H)
11) Wolves: Nottingham Forest (A), Arsenal (H), Bournemouth (H), Luton Town (H)

The late, late show

Erik ten Hag has now twice watched a side he has coached concede four goals at Stamford Bridge. The first occasion was with Ajax in 2019/20. The second was on Thursday evening.

Conor Gallagher’s opener against United – timed at three minutes and 30 seconds – is our earliest goal scored this season. But his thunder was stolen by Cole Palmer.

The 21-year-old's dramatic strike after Enzo Fernandez’s short corner crossed the line at 100 minutes and 39 seconds. It is the latest winner in Premier League history.

And the equalising penalty thumped home by Palmer 82 seconds earlier ensured the Mancunian marvel became the second youngest scorer of a penalty brace in a Premier League match after Mario Balotelli for Man City against Villa in 2010.

Cole’s maiden hat-trick has also put him just two shy of Erling Haaland (18) in pursuit of the Golden Boot.

Latest Chelsea penalties

23/24: Cole Palmer vs Manchester United – 99:19
13/14: Eden Hazard vs West Bromwich Albion – 95:18
23/24: Cole Palmer vs Manchester City – 94:24
21/22: Jorginho vs Leeds United – 93:13
21/22: Jorginho vs Aston Villa –92:37
09/10: Frank Lampard vs Manchester City – 90:33

Cutting edge

This is the first of two successive league fixtures against clubs scrapping for survival.

After bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United comes the visit of Everton (15th). Our penultimate fixture of the campaign is at 17th-placed Nottingham Forest.

Over the previous five seasons, the Blues have recorded a 73 per cent win-rate in home and away games against sides who ended the campaign relegated. Ten per cent of the games ended in draws and 17 per cent were defeats.

Having taken maximum points off Luton this campaign, Chelsea could now add the Blades to the ‘doubles’ list.

Chelsea have lost one of our past eleven away Premier League games against promoted sides.

Chelsea vs relegation battlers (2023/24)