Sheffield United FC makes the long trip to the south coast this weekend to face Brighton & Hove Albion, where they hope to build on an electrifying victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. They will likely be without former Liverpool striker Rhian Brewster, who hobbled with a thigh injury against the Wolves last Saturday.
The Blades have begun the 2023-24 Premier League season in a woeful fashion, but, after ten league matches without a victory, last Saturday, Paul Heckingbottom’s side (finally), got that elusive win on the board. It wouldn’t have been a Sheffield United match without there being some controversy. After a goalless first half, the hosts broke the deadlock in the 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. James McAtee’s ball through on 72 minutes saw Cameron Archer charge through to finish. Wolves responded on 88 minutes after Jean-Ricner Bellegarde saw his deflected effort get the better of Wes Foderingham in the United goal; 1-1. Deep into stoppage time, the Blades were awarded a controversial penalty after George Baldock was deemed fouled in the area. After a VAR check – the penalty stood. Oliver Norwood stepped up to finish the spot-kick.
Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom (again) has a selection headache ahead of this weekend’s forthcoming clash. No doubt he will be looking for another fortnight’s rest due to an international break. The former Barnsley Head Coach is without ten first-team players for this weekend’s encounter. Defenders, Anel Ahmedhodzic (thigh), John Egan, Chris Basham, Max Lowe (all ankle), Rhys Norrington-Davies (thigh), are all absent, as are midfielders; Tom Davies, Gustavo Hamer (both thigh), and forwards; Oli McBurnie (groin), Rhian Brewster (thigh), and Daniel Jebbison (illness).
This weekend’s meeting at the Amex Stadium will be their third visit to their ‘new’ stadium. The previous two encounters (in 2019/20, and 2020/21), both came in the Premier League with the Blades being victorious in their first visit, after Oli McBurnie netted the games’ only goal, before drawing 1-1 in their second visit. The Blades will hope to maintain a good record against the Seagulls.