Why is Sheffield United vs Chelsea at 5:30pm? Premier League clash moved to rarely-seen kick-off time

CHELSEA’S clash against Sheffield United kicks off at the unusual time of 5.30pm.

The Blues are desperate to secure a European spot after their nail-biting 4-3 victory against Manchester United on Thursday.

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Chelsea fans are in dissaray after seeing the kick off time change against Sheffiled Utd on Sunday[/caption]

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Chelsea are coming off the back of a thriller 4-3 victory against Man Utd[/caption]

Mauricio Pochettino‘s side will want to build on the win against the Red Devils on Sunday’s visit to Bramall Lane.

But Chelsea supporters were baffled after discovering the kick-off time was moved to 5.30pm.

The match was initially scheduled to kick off at 1.30pm.

Having originally been scheduled before Man United vs Liverpool, a request from the Blades has seen it moved to after instead.

A statement on the Premier League website read: “The Premier League fixture between Sheffield United and Chelsea has been moved from 13.30 to 17.30 BST on Sunday 7 April.

“This is due to a request from the home Club. This kick-off time has been selected to allow adequate return travel for visiting supporters.”

The Chelsea Supporters Trust later revealed that the request from Chris Wilder‘s team was due to a potential clash with the Sheffield Half Marathon – which takes place earlier that same day.

Sunday fixtures typically take place at 2pm or 4.30pm.

Chelsea are on a six-game unbeaten run following their incredible win over United – the club’s longest in 18 months.

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On Thursday Poch’s side looked set to lose that streak in the 98th minute at Stamford Bridge but Cole Palmer scored two in the dying minutes to turn the result around.

The result saw them go tenth in the table and in with a chance of sealing a spot in Europe.

Seventh-placed West Ham, who have played two more games, are only two points ahead.