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Sheffield United logo
Championship | Gameweek 2
Aug 6, 2022 at 3pm UK
Bramall Lane
Millwall logo

Sheff Utd
2 - 0
Millwall

Ndiaye (7'), Berge (22')
Clark (82'), Norrington-Davies (90+3'), Foderingham (90+4')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Bennett (45'), McNamara (90+3')

Preview: Sheffield United vs. Millwall - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Sheffield United and Millwall, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Looking to put their first points of the new Championship season on the board, Sheffield United will welcome Millwall to Bramall Lane on Saturday.

The Blades fell short in their season-opener away at newly-relegated Watford, while their visitors kicked off with a home victory over Stoke City last weekend before being dumped out of the EFL Cup on Tuesday.


Match preview

Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom on August 1, 2022© Reuters

Sheffield United headed into the new Championship campaign hoping to earn a return to the Premier League at the second time of asking, after Paul Heckingbottom's appointment early last season triggered an improvement at Bramall Lane and saw the Blades earn a playoff place.

Having eventually finished fifth thanks to a strong second half to the campaign, they booked a semi-final tie with Nottingham Forest, and, after a 1-0 home defeat and an opening goal for Steve Cooper's men at the City Ground, the South Yorkshire outfit were able to take the contest to extra time as Morgan Gibbs-White and John Fleck hit second-half goals.

Eventually falling short in a penalty shootout, the Blades headed into a summer of preparation for their second year back in the Championship with several changes made to Heckingbottom's squad, as the loans of Gibbs-White, Ben Davies and Conor Hourihane came to an end, while Anel Ahmedhodzic, Ciaran Clark, Tommy Doyle and Reda Khadra have all come through the door at Bramall Lane.

They faced the tough test of a trip to Watford to kick off the new term on Monday, and, after a goalless first half, the Blades were eventually condemned to a narrow defeat as Joao Pedro finished off a breakaway for the hosts.

Now looking for a first win in their bid to establish themselves in the leading pack in England's second tier, Heckingbottom's men will hope to make the most of home advantage in their first game at Bramall Lane of the new league season and put three points on the board.

Millwall boss Gary Rowett on August 2, 2022© Reuters

Millwall, meanwhile, head into the new term hoping for further improvement under Gary Rowett, after finishing ninth last year and only dropping out of the top eight after a final-day defeat.

They enjoyed success over Saturday's opponents, firstly winning 2-1 at Bramall Lane in October before Jake Cooper hit the only goal in a triumph at The Den in February.

Looking to become even more competitive in the race for a top-six finish this time around, the London outfit kicked off their league season with a home contest against Stoke City on Saturday, and they came out with all three points as debutant Charlie Cresswell scored both goals in a 2-0 home victory.

On the back of that positive start, Rowett's men travelled to Cambridge United on Tuesday for an EFL Cup first-round tie, but they were unable to make it two wins from two competitive games as Liam O'Neill fired the hosts to a 1-0 win, dumping the Lions out of the competition.

Now turning their attention back to league football, Millwall will hope to again get the better of the Blades and record a second straight Championship win at the weekend.

Sheffield United Championship form:
  • L

Millwall Championship form:
  • W

Millwall form (all competitions):
  • W
  • L


Team News

Millwall's Jake Cooper on August 2, 2022© Reuters

Sheffield United have several injuries to contend with, as defenders Jack Robinson and Chris Basham are set to miss out alongside long-term absentee Jack O'Connell, while Tommy Doyle and Oli McBurnie are also sidelined and Enda Stevens was forced off with a knock against Watford.

With Stevens's availability unclear, Rhys Norrington-Davies could move across to the left-wing-back role with Anel Ahmedhodzic set to come into the back three for his competitive debut after serving a one-match suspension on Monday.

After missing the end of last season, captain Billy Sharp was fit to come off the bench last time out, but Heckingbottom may continue to ease the 36-year-old back into action with Daniel Jebbison or Rhian Brewster more likely to lead the line, while Iliman Ndiaye and Sander Berge should again play in support of a lone frontman.

Millwall will be without new midfielder George Honeyman for Saturday's game, as he is suspended after being sent off in their cup defeat to Cambridge, although the Lions are not expected to be dealing with any serious injury concerns.

Rowett will again line his side up in a 3-4-2-1 system, with Leeds United loanee Charlie Cresswell set to operate in the back three likely alongside Jake Cooper and Murray Wallace.

Further forward, Benik Afobe should take back his place up front after dropping out for the EFL Cup contest, with Tom Bradshaw and new signing Zian Flemming set to play behind the frontman, given Honeyman's suspension and the summer departure of star man Jed Wallace.

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Foderingham; Ahmedhodzic, Egan, Clark; Baldock, Fleck, Norwood, Norrington-Davies; Berge, Ndiaye; Brewster

Millwall possible starting lineup:
Bialkowski; Cresswell, Cooper, Wallace; Leonard, Mitchell, Saville, Malone; Flemming, Bradshaw; Afobe


SM words green background

We say: Sheffield United 1-1 Millwall

The hosts will certainly be going all out for three points, and, despite their injury issues, they still have the tools to hurt most Championship sides, but Millwall may continue to be a thorn in the side of the Blades.

Rowett should be encouraged by his side's opening-day win, and we see the visitors being tough to beat and ultimately returning home with a share of the spoils.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


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Written by
Sam Varley

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Game History

How you voted: Sheff Utd vs Millwall

Sheffield United
43.9%
Draw
31.7%
Millwall
24.4%
41
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Tables header RHS
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1Leeds UnitedLeeds26158348192953
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3Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd26166436171952
4Sunderland27149439221751
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2612683123842
6Middlesbrough26118743321141
7West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom26913432211140
8Watford26115103637-138
9Bristol City2691073330337
10Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds2610793840-237
11Norwich CityNorwich269984337636
12Swansea CitySwansea2697103030034
13Queens Park RangersQPR2671182934-532
14Millwall257992423130
15Preston North EndPreston2661282834-630
16Coventry CityCoventry2678113437-329
17Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2678112941-1229
18Derby CountyDerby2676133135-427
19Stoke CityStoke2669112432-827
20Luton TownLuton2674152744-1725
21Cardiff CityCardiff2659122641-1524
22Hull City2658132536-1123
23Portsmouth2558123044-1423
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2649132554-2921


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