Sheffield United welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to Bramall Lane in the Fourth Round of the 2023-24 FA Cup.
Victory would see Chris Wilder’s Blades reach the Fifth Round for a fourth time in five seasons, whilst Brighton look to move beyond this stage for a third time in four seasons.
Team News
Rhian Brewster is suspended for Sheffield Utd’s next three matches after he was red carded in their comeback 2-2 draw against West Ham in the Premier League
Tom Davies (thigh) is a doubt for selection, whilst Yasser Larouci and Anis Ben Slimane could feature following their early returns from international duty for Algeria and Tunisia respectively.
Max Lowe (knock) and Chris Basham (ankle) remain absent.
Brighton could welcome Igor back into contention following his recovery from a calf injury.
Ansu Fati (muscle), Simon Adingra (hamstring), Kaoru Mitoma (ankle), Joel Veltman, Solly March and Julio Enciso (all knee) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Sheffield Utd host Brighton at Bramall Lane in a 3pm GMT kick-off on Saturday 27 January, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Sheffield Utd are unbeaten in two of their three previous FA Cup meetings across two previous ties (W1, D1, L2).
- Brighton drew 0-0 in their only previous FA Cup visit to Sheffield Utd – which came in the Third Round of 1986-87 FA Cup, before they lost the replay 2-1 at home.
- Both teams have scored in just one of their three previous FA Cup meetings – as Sheffield Utd won a Third Round replay 2-1 at Brighton in January 1987.
- Sheffield United have won just one of their last five FA Cup ties at home to top-flight opposition (W1, D2, L2).
- Brighton have won just one of their nine FA Cup ties away to top-flight opposition this century – excluding semi-finals at neutral venues (W1, L9).
Prediction
With securing their Premier League status being their top priority, it will be interesting to see how Chris Wilder’s Blades approach this game because a cup run could help build momentum, yet could prove a slight issue later in season depending upon how deep they go.
There however were strong positives from that comeback draw against West Ham because Sheffield Utd were the better team at various stages, whilst their team spirit clearly has improved with proper grit and determination to force both equalisers.
Brighton meanwhile will feel frustrated to have drawn a blank in two of their last three matches despite having dominated Wolves, yet were resiliently kept at bay by the Old Gold’s defence which could raise some questions about whether their goalscoring form is drying up.
I therefore do expect Roberto De Zerbi’s Seagulls to be right up for this clash to get back to winning ways quickly, but Sheffield Utd know that this competition is a chance to give fans another cup run amidst their current league woes so this could well be a tough game.
Brighton’s attacking quality however might just be the difference such is Sheffield Utd’s vulnerability at the back.
Prediction: Sheffield United 1-2 Brighton
Result: Sheffield United 2-5 Brighton
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