With Man Utd ahead of Chelsea at the top of the table on goal difference, Arsenal rediscovering their midas touch, and surprise package Bolton snapping away at them like Jack Russell going at a burglars ankle, the self proclaimed 'special one', Jose Mourinho, and his charges have no margin for error in their bid to win their third successive Premiership title this season.
 
Indeed, over the past couple of seasons the Blues have, even at this relatively early stage in campaign, flexed their muscles and begun to assert themselves at the summit of the table. This term, however, their is real intent about the aforementioned trio of challengers and while Bolton may not have the strength in depth to be in their pitching for the title at the business end, both United and Arsenal are looking ominously dangerous.
 
With away fixtures at Bolton and Man Utd on the horizon, in addition to a visit from the Gunners at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea simply mustn't drop any points in their next quartet of games, starting with their trip to Brammal Lane on Saturday afternoon when they face the struggling Sheffield United, who are long odds-on to be relegated back to the Championship come May next year. After all, what goes up must come down.
 
Chelsea have played the Blades twice since the inauguration of the Premiership and, surprising though this may sound, the south west London side were outpointed on both occasions. However, their last meeting was over 12 years ago, plus, in the overall head to head record between the two sides, Chelsea hold sway with 36 victories, 27 verdicts going to Sheffield United, and 15 ending all square.
 
The reigning champions have been workmanlike rather than impressive so far this season, but Mourinho has expressed on countless occasions that he is interested in results rather than sublime performances. And, to be fair, it is to Chelsea's credit that they have often demonstrated the character to grind out results, even when things aren't going their way and they're not playing as well as they can.
 
But one player in particular who has certainly impressed is Didier Drogba. The Ivory Coast striker, who cost Chelsea £24million from Marseille in 2004, failed to reproduce the form he showed for the French side in his first two seasons at 'The Bridge', but something has clicked within the 28-year-old since this year - he has already scored nine goals in 12 games in all competitions since that date. Drogba will be a handful for the Blades' defence on Saturday.
 
Neil Warnock's men are bound to defend deep and try to frustrate Chelsea, but the bottom line is that they will simply be outclassed, as the betting suggests - an away win in the match result market is a best-priced 4/ll while a home win is as big as 11/1. For some value, though, the best option is to split stakes and opt for Chelsea 2-0 and 3-0 in the correct score market at 11/2 with Stan James and 15/2 with bet365 respectively.
 
verdict:
 
1pt Chelsea 2-0 in the correct score market @ 11/2 (Stan James)
1pt Chelsea 3-0 in the correct score market @ 15/2 (bet365)