Sheffield United look to continue their strong start to the season as they take on Southampton at Bramall Lane.
Victory for the Blades will see them move higher into the top ten, whilst Southampton could leapfrog their rivals with a win and enter the top ten for the first time this season.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesKean Bryan is Sheffield United’s only definite absentee as he recovers from a knock but John Fleck and Callum Robinson are both set to be fit after recent hamstring injuries,
David McGoldrick is also available after recovering from a shoulder injury, which forced him to withdraw from Republic of Ireland’s friendly with Bulgaria earlier this week.
Southampton could welcome up to three players back as Ryan Bertrand returns from an ankle injury, but Nathan Redmond is still sidelined with the same injury.
Michael Obafemi (thigh) and Moussa Djenepo (muscle) are also set to be available but Kevin Danso is suspended after being sent off against Manchester United a fortnight ago.
Form
Sheffield United are unbeaten in three of their four league games so far despite scoring in all four matches.
Southampton are unbeaten in their last three matches across all competitions with clean sheets from their last two away trips.
Stat Attack
- Both teams have taken two wins and losses plus a draw apiece from their last five meetings.
- Southampton scored just twice in their last five trips to Bramall Lane, taking a 2-1 win in September 2007.
- Chris Basham is the only Blades player who is still with Sheffield United from their last meeting with Southampton, in December 2014 in the League Cup.
- Sheffield United have played more long balls than any other team did in their opening four games this season, producing 306 long balls.
- Callum Robinson and Danny Ings have both made two shots on target for Sheffield United and Southampton respectively.
Prediction
Sheffield United have surprisingly adapted well to the Premier League with their hard-working attitude, which was evident in the second half at Chelsea and could be an issue for Southampton if they pick up where they left off.
Southampton meanwhile are playing solid football but we need to see more attacking potent, which is currently lacking and I can’t see a win here if they don’t step it up because the Blades are much stronger at the minute.
Prediction: Sheffield United 2-1 Southampton
Result: Sheffield United 0-1 Southampton