Sheffield United start 2021 with an away trip to Crystal Palace, hoping to rid the ghost of 2020 which saw the Blades end the Premier League year without a league victory to their name in the 16 games the Blades have played thus far.
The Blades ended the Christmas and New Year period with two 1-0 losses, at home to Everton on Boxing day, and at Burnley three days later. Although the Blades have the majority of the possession against the Clarets (63% in favour of United), they could only muster 7 shots in goal to Burnley’s 5.
Chris Wilder takes his Sheffield United side to the team which they completed the league double over last season. The Eagles were the Blades first Premier League opponents at Bramall Lane last season, having drawn 1-1 at Bournemouth on the Opening Day. The Blades won 1-0 to a John Lundstram strike two minutes after the break. The score-line was repeated later in the season when Spanish keeper Vicente Guaita thumbed the ball into his net on 58 minutes after trying to collect Oliver Norwood’s corner.
Sheffield United will be without midfielders Sander Berge and John Lundstram ahead of tomorrow’s clash at Selhurst Park. Berge, who made his Blades debut at Crystal Palace last season, is sidelined with a thigh injury he sustained in the 3-2 defeat to Manchester United on 17 December and is expected to be sidelined for around three months. Lunstram was sent off in the 1-1 draw at Brighton on 20 December and is serving the third of a three-match suspension. He has already missed the 1-0 defeats against former club Everton on Boxing Day, and at Burnley, and will be available for selection for the FA Cup tie at Bristol Rovers.
They are also without Kean Bryan (calf strain), whilst Jack O’Connell (knee) is sidelined for the season. However, striker Oli McBurnie is doubtful with a shoulder injury but may be included with a late fitness test.
United also anticipated to be without Phil Jagielka, the oldest outfield player in the Premier League, and striker Billy Sharp having been ruled out for an unknown reason. Three days ago, the football club reported that there had been positive Coronavirus tests, with the identities of the individuals, or whether they were (or were not) playing staff not made public.
Men in the Middle
Referee: Stuart Attwell.
Assistants: Marc Perry, Peter Kirkup.
Fourth official: Keith Stroud.
VAR: Andre Marriner. Assistant VAR: Richard West.
Past Premier League Results… vs. Crystal Palace
1992/93 – Bramall Lane (L 0-1), Selhurst Park (L 0-2)
2019/20 – Bramall Lane (W 1-0), Selhurst Park (W 1-0)
Last Time
Crystal Palace 0-1 Sheffield United – 01.02.2020 – Premier League