Sheffield United entertain former FA Premier League Champions Leicester City this weekend still searching for their first victory of the season as they sit firmly rooted at the foot of the table.
Despite putting in some promising performances in recent weeks, the Blades remain at the bottom of the table with that single point they earned at home to Fulham on 18th October. In recent weeks they have lost games against Chelsea (1-4) at Stamford Bridge, West Ham United at home, and West Bromwich Albion (both 0-1). This run of poor form, which extends beyond this season with their last victory coming against Chelsea (3-0), on 11th July. It has certainly raised a question mark with the supporters on whether the Blades can escape relegation this time around?
United may have been bolstered by the return of midfielder John Fleck, and striker Lys Mousset in recent weeks, which has been seen as a starting point on the road to escaping relegation. However, they are expected to remain without Jack O’Connell (knee), who hasn’t been included in the 25-man squad, on-loan Chelsea defender Ethan Ampadu (unknown), and John Egan (knee), through injury.
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Leicester City has made a fair start to the 2020-21 season thus far, having won six out of their first ten Premier League matches, although they come into this match with Sheffield United having suffered two straight defeats on the trot to current Premier League title holders Liverpool (0-3) at Anfield, and an unexpected home defeat to Fulham (1-2) in their last league outing.
They were eliminated in the third round of the Carabao Cup at home to Arsenal (0-2), but have since had better success in the UEFA Europa League. They faced Ukrainian side Zorya Luhansk last Thursday night in a 4,000-mile round trip, though the Foxes had already qualified out of the group stage before the match in Zaporizhzhia.
Having qualified, and the prospect of facing the Blades on Sunday, City manager Brendan Rodgers opted to leave out vital members of the squad which travelled to Ukraine. He told BBC Sport; “We have left a few behind,” said Rodgers. “Evans, Tielemans, and Schmeichel – they have been important for us and for their international teams. They need a rest as does Jamie. It allows them to prepare for the game at the weekend.”
The Foxes are boosted by the return of left-back Ricardo Pereira, who is expected to make his first Premier League appearance in nine months after recovering from a cruciate ligament injury. They are also excited to see the returns of midfielder Wilfred Ndidi and defender Caglar Soyuncu, who too have recovered from injury. However, they are still expected to be without Daniel Amartey, and Timothy Gastagne (both thigh), through injury.
Past Premier League Results… vs. Liverpool
2019/20 – Bramall Lane (L 1-2), KingPower Stadium (L 0-2)
Last Time
Leicester City 2-0 Sheffield United – 2019/20 – Premier League
Forthcoming Blades Fixtures;
12 Dec – Southampton (a) 15:00
15 Dec – Manchester United (h) 19:45
19 Dec – Brighton & Hove Albion (a) 15:00
26 Dec – Everton (h) 15:00
28 Dec – Burnley (a) 15:00