After a 12 year absence, Sheffield United finally make their Premier League return as they head to the Vitaly Stadium to face Bournemouth.
For Chris Wilder, this marks his first top flight game as a manager after successfully guiding the Blades to two promotions in his three seasons at Bramall Lane, whilst Bournemouth will be looking to mount a top ten challenge.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesBournemouth enter this season with an injury crisis as David Brooks (ankle) and Dan Gosling (hip) are ruled out until October, whilst Simon Francis (knee) is ruled out until after the first international break.
Lewis Cook, Junior Stanislas and Charlie Daniels (all knee) and new signing – Lloyd Kelly (ankle) meanwhile are sidelined for an indefinite length of time alongside Steve Cook (groin).
Sheffield United have no fresh injury concerns with a full squad at Chris Wilder’s disposal.
Form
Bournemouth came through pre-season with just two defeats and netted three goals in each of their two home friendlies against Lazio and Lyon.
Sheffield United meanwhile spent the entirety of pre-season on the road, taking four wins and two defeats but scored in all six of their friendlies.
Stat Attack
- Bournemouth have won just one of 15 meetings with Sheffield United and have suffered eight straight losses on the bounce.
- After their first two meetings on the South Coast finished goalless, Sheffield United won their last five trips to Dean Court but just one of those victories was by a margin greater than one goal – winning 2-0 in December 2011.
- Bournemouth’s Harry Arter, Steve Cook, Charlie Daniels and Simon Francis are the only four surviving players from their last meeting with Sheffield United in February 2013.
- This is the fourth time in five seasons that Bournemouth have started their Premier League season at home, with their only victory from their four previous opening weekend fixtures coming against Cardiff City last season, who coincidentally also were promoted as Championship runners-up of the previous season.
- Sheffield United have won just one of their last four opening weekend fixtures, which came in August 2017 against Brentford in the Championship.
Prediction
Both teams have spent wisely this summer whilst retaining their best attacking players so I feel a thriller could be on the cards here, if Callum Wilson and Billy Sharp are on form.
Wilson vs Sharp in particular could be the decisive battle up front because both players are real threats on and off the ball, although the Cherries’ injury crisis could force tactical changes which might make defence the more important battle here.
Either way, I think that this could be the best match of the opening weekend so am going for a high scoring draw.
Prediction: Bournemouth 2-2 Sheffield United
Result: Bournemouth 1-1 Sheffield United