Sheffield United will be aiming for a hat-trick of home league victories when they face Blackburn Rovers this weekend at Bramall Lane.
Paul Heckingbottom side has won back-to-back home games over Millwall and Sunderland and will be keen to add a third successive victory this weekend against a difficult Black Rovers side who are currently top of the league. However, United have an opportunity to climb to top of the table should they claim maximum points over Blackburn, whilst Watford (at Preston North End), and Hull City (at West Bromwich Albion), fail to win their Championship matches.
United are expected to field a similar side to the one which beat Sunderland 2-1 on Wednesday but could hand a debut to forward Reda Khadra to face his former club. Though the hosts will be without keeper Adam Davies (knee), as well as Jack O’Connell, Jayden Bogle, Jack Robinson, and Enda Stevens (all knee injuries), who are side-lined through injury.
Sheffield United came out surprised victors over Blackburn Rovers the last time that these two sides met last season, On 23rd February 2022. United won the match 1-0 but it was typical that United would achieve victory the hard way. The break remained goalless at the break with all the action taking place in the second half, which had that Hollywood ending. The Blades was reduced to ten men on 66 minutes after debutant Charlie Goode, on-loan from Brentford, turned baddie when he was dismissed following a two-footed lunge on Reda Khadra. Six minutes the now Blades attacker had an opportunity for the visitors to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty after John Egan handled his cross. He stepped up and saw his effort stopped by Wes Foderingham from twelve yards. There was to be a final twist two minutes into stoppage time when substitute Ben Davies capitalised on a corner, stabbing home from close range.
Rovers began the 2022-23 campaign in high spirits. Three successive victories without conceding looked to set the Ewood Park club as early runaway leaders. However, they came unstuck at Reading on Wednesday night – unexpectedly losing 3-0.
Whilst the Blades are doing all they can to keep hold of star midfielder Sander Berge, Blackburn shares such a burden as they attempt to keep hold of Chilian international striker Ben Brereton Diaz, who has been subject to an £8.4million bid from French club Nice. They will, however, be without Scott Wharton (calf), who is sidelined through injury.