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Sheffield United logo
Championship | Gameweek 4
Aug 17, 2022 at 8pm UK
Bramall Lane
Sunderland

Sheff Utd
2 - 1
Sunderland

Ahmedhodzic (33'), Lowe (47')
McBurnie (90+4')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Gooch (55')
O'Nien (65'), Gooch (72'), Matete (90+4'), Wright (90+7')
Neill (31')

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

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

Sheffield United play host to Sunderland in the Championship on Wednesday evening with both teams having endured a mixed start to the campaign.

However, while the teams have just two victories between them from their opening three matches, they occupy ninth and sixth position respectively in the standings.


Match preview

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

When Sheffield United succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at Watford in their opening game, Paul Heckingbottom would not have necessarily been too downhearted knowing that one of their toughest games of the calendar was already out of the way.

That said, the Blades needed to respond in their following fixtures, something which was achieved with four points coming from games against Millwall and Middlesbrough.

There will be a sense of frustration having twice let slip a lead in the latter of those matches, but Heckingbottom will be content with occupying ninth spot at this stage.

Sheffield United now face a home double-header with a vulnerable Sunderland side and leaders Blackburn Rovers, the opportunity being there to make quick headway up the table.

While goals currently appear to be an issue, Heckingbottom will feel that his frontline will start firing once they have more minutes under their belt.

Sunderland manager Alex Neil on February 19, 2022© Reuters

As far as Sunderland are concerned, they remarkably find themselves in a position where they will be disappointed with only collecting five points from their first three games back in the division.

The Black Cats have twice given up leads at the Stadium of Light, Saturday's 2-2 draw with Queens Park Rangers being particularly frustrating having seemingly been on the way to maximum points and a clean sheet with five minutes left.

Instead, Alex Neil witnessed his team concede twice, the second of those goals coming from the head of QPR goalkeeper Seny Dieng who had made his way up for a corner.

Although the Scot will try to find the positives, he knows that his players, particularly in defensive areas, need to show more character if they are to be considered contenders for the playoffs this season.

Sheffield United Championship form:
  • L
  • W
  • D

Sheffield United form (all competitions):
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • D

Sunderland Championship form:
  • D
  • W
  • D

Sunderland form (all competitions):
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • D


Team News

Sheffield United's Rhian Brewster celebrates scoring their first goal on November 28, 2021© Reuters

Rhian Brewster and Oliver McBurnie are both pushing to replace Billy Sharp in the Sheffield United attack.

Given the extent of the Blades' injury list, changes are expected to be few and far between, although Reda Khadra and James McAtee are both pushing for opportunities.

Dan Ballard will miss out for Sunderland after suffering an ankle injury during the early stages of the QPR game.

Luke O'Nien is expected to deputise in the back three, but Ajibola Alese is also an option after his move from West Ham United.

Barring any more injury issues, the remainder of the team is expected to stay the same.

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

Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; O'Nien, Batth, Cirkin; Gooch, Neil, Evans, Clarke; Pritchard; Stewart, Simms


SM words green background

We say: Sheffield United 2-1 Sunderland

While Sunderland sit higher in the table, losing points from winning positions on two occasions will not do anything positive for their confidence. With that in mind, we are backing the Blades to come through this contest with the win, even if they are made to work for it by the visitors.


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




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Game History

How you voted: Sheff Utd vs Sunderland

Sheffield United
67.7%
Draw
18.9%
Sunderland
13.4%
127
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland1594225111431
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1510321971231
3Leeds UnitedLeeds158522491529
4Burnley157621861227
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom15672169725
6Watford158162322125
7Middlesbrough157352317624
8Millwall156541813523
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn156451917222
10Bristol City155732019122
11Swansea CitySwansea155461110119
12Derby CountyDerby155461919019
13Stoke CityStoke155461819-119
14Norwich CityNorwich154652322118
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds155371725-818
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd154561718-117
17Coventry CityCoventry154472021-116
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth154471526-1116
19Hull City153661620-415
20Preston North EndPreston153661523-815
21Luton TownLuton154381726-915
22Cardiff CityCardiff154381423-915
23Portsmouth152671628-1212
24Queens Park RangersQPR151771225-1310


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