Having avoided defeat at Bournemouth last weekend, Sheffield United kick off Super Sunday with their first home match of the season against Crystal Palace at Bramall Lane.
Both teams enter this match level on points, although United are ahead in the table by virtue of Billy Sharp’s goal against Bournemouth whilst Palace are yet to score this season after a draw with Everton.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesSheffield United have a full squad available for selection once again as Muhamed Besic, Ben Osborn, Lys Mousset and Ravel Morrison all look to make their first competitive appearance for the Blades.
Phil Jagielka meanwhile was an unused sub last week as he looks for his first appearance in his second stint at the club.
Crystal Palace will welcome Jeffery Schlupp back from injury and he could start alongside Wilfried Zaha, who came off the bench against Everton last weekend after a failed Deadline Day switch.
James Tomkins (groin) and Mamadou Sakho (knee) are ruled out whilst James McCarthy, Victor Camarasa and Gary Cahill all came through an U23s game on Monday without injury as they prepare for their potential Palace debuts this weekend.
Form
Sheffield United come into this game off the back of a late 1-1 draw away to Bournemouth last weekend, as Chris Mepham’s opener was cancelled out by Billy Sharp.
Crystal Palace meanwhile held Everton to a goalless home draw.
Stat Attack
- Sheffield United have avoided defeat in three of their last five league meetings with Crystal Palace (W2, D1, L2).
- At home, United have taken ten points from their last five league clashes with Palace (W3, D1, L1).
- Palace’s Wilfried Zaha is the only remaining player from their last meeting in February 2011 to still remain in the squad of either club.
- The Blades have took seven points from their last five opening home games to a new season (W2, D1, L2).
- Palace have taken six points from their first away games in the last five seasons (W2, L3).
Prediction
Bramall Lane will definitely be bouncing and the fans inside the ground have every reason to be because United will play some great attacking football like they did at Bournemouth last weekend.
Palace however are bound to be strong opposition given their better away form in recent seasons than at home, and if they can play with the same quality from the second half against Everton then I think we could see quite a tight but open game.
My head says a 1-1 draw but I have a feeling that we might see a late home winner here.
Prediction: Sheffield United 2-1 Crystal Palace
Result: Sheffield United 1-0 Crystal Palace
Leave a Reply