Sheffield United supporters will enjoy the long last breath of normality when the new 2021-22 season kicks off this weekend. With restrictions in place, the Blades faithful were forced to endure relegation from the comfort of their living rooms.
Supporters will fully be allowed to return to Bramall Lane for this evening’s opener (kick-off; 8:00 PM), but with some easy-to-follow guidelines in place. Supporters did return to the Lane for their final home Premier League encounter of the season in May but with a limited number of spectators.
Slavisa Jokanovic prepared for the new season with a summer camp to Spain, where they faced Gibraltar side Europa Point FC in a friendly, winning 3-0 with goals from John Egan, Lys Mousset, and youngster Tyler Smith. Back in the UK, the Blades blew local rivals Doncaster Rovers aside, winning 4-0 at the Keepmoat Stadium. They had scheduled to complete the pre-season fixture list with a tie against Norwich City; however, the fixture with the Canaries was postponed due to a Coronavirus outbreak in the Norfolk clubs camp. However, they did see a fixture with Oxford cancelled.
However, the Blades will be without defender Jack O’Connell (knee), and striker Oli McBurnie (metatarsal fracture)- with no return date currently set for the pair.
Birmingham City was victorious the last time that they faced Sheffield United on the opening day of the season and went onto pip the Blades to automatic promotion, whilst United, typically, failed in the Play-Offs. This was in 2008 at St Andrew’s as veteran Kevin Phillips netted a late winner to produce a 1-0 victory for the hosts. No doubt the Blues will be looking for an identical result this time around.
The Blues had a productive pre-season, and were able to fulfill five matches, winning two and drawing once against; Cheltenham Town (won 3-0), Barrow (drew 1-1), Salford City XI (won 7-0), Northampton Town (lost 2-3), and against West Bromwich Albion (lost 0-4).
Whilst the Blades have yet to bring any fresh faces into the squad, the Blues, who finished 18th in the Championship last season, have been busy in the transfer market and have been quick to bring in Ryan Woods (from Stoke City), Chuks Aneke (Charlton Athletic), Jordan Graham (Gillingham), and Oliver Basey (Sunderland), all on a free transfer. They have also acquired the loan signings of Juan Casttillo (from Chelsea), Dion Sanderson, and Matija Sarkic (both Wolverhampton Wanderers), Riley McGee (Charlotte FC (Belgium)), and Tahith Chong (Manchester United). The majority of which may make their debuts at Bramall Lane this evening.
Last Time
10.04.2019 – Birmingham City 1-1 Sheffield United
A difficult fixture for the Blades, en-route to automatic promotion, saw United draw 1-1 at St Andrew’s. Although they had taken the lead on 38 minutes via an Enda Stevens thunderous strike before City levelled four minutes later after a corner wasn’t cleared and Michael Morrison spooned home.