Chelsea and Sheffield United meet at Stamford Bridge in the English FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday, as the Premier League pair battle for a place in the last four.
New coach Thomas Tuchel looks well placed to challenge for his first English trophy, as his side go up against the club rooted to the bottom of the EPL.
The visitors also parted ways with coach Chris Wilder last week in acrimonious circumstances, meaning the knockout action may come as a blessed relief to the Yorkshire side.
Tuchel’s side were down the road from Sheffield in the fifth round at Barnsley, edging out their Championship opponents by the only goal at Oakwell.
Fellow second tier side Luton were dispensed with at the Bridge in round four, as were League Two club Morecambe at the third round stage.
United have progressed by the narrowest of margins against lower league opposition in each of their three ties so far.
A 3-2 third round win at Bristol Rovers was followed by a 2-1 victory over Plymouth at Bramall Lane, with Bristol City also seen off on home turf to set up their quarter-final trip to London.
Veteran striker Olivier Giroud could switch back into the starting line up, with Christian Pulisic also pushing to prove his worth at the sharp end of the pitch.
Kepa Arrizabalaga could also be given the nod in goal, although Thiago Silva and Tammy Abraham are ruled out by injury.
Temporary Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom has a lengthy absentee list to deal with, not least in defence.
On loan Ethan Ampadu is barred from facing his parent club, while Phil Jagielka is expected to miss out following the death of his brother in midweek.
Jack O’Connell, Jack Robinson, John Egan and Sander Berge are all on the injury list for the Blades.
Chelsea vs Sheffield United: Prediction
Prediction methodology explained: The expected win percentage is based off publicly available odds. For example, if a team’s odds are 2.30, the expected chance of winning is 43%. If the odds are 1.62 the expected chance of winning is 62% and so on. These are accurate at the time of writing but are subject to change. Where there is no value listed, the odds were not available at the time of writing.
Chelsea vs Sheffield United: EPL starting XI prediction
Probable Chelsea Starting XI: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen, Kurt Zouma, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, Ben Chilwell, Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount, Olivier Giroud.
Probable Sheffield United Starting XI: Aaron Ramsdale, Chris Basham, Kean Bryan, Enda Stephens, Jayden Bogle, John Lundstram, Oliver Norwood, Ben Osborn, Max Lowe, David McGoldrick, Rhian Brewster.
Get all the FA Cup predictions, fixtures and results for the sixth round on 20 and 21 March here.