3rd meets 1st at Bramall Lane on Saturday as Sheffield United look to make a statement against the high-flying Burnley.
The Blades won a sloppy but hard-fought game on Tuesday night under the lights of Ashton Gate. United have won two back-to-back matches – both away – they’ll hope to extend that to three in a row against Burnley.
Paul Heckingbottom remarked on the importance of Saturday’s game for both teams, but he insisted: “Burnley will be looking forward to it and it will be a good game I am sure.” [SUTV]
Burnley was involved in a tough battle themselves during the week after they staged a last-gasp comeback 3-2 victory over Rotherham United, scoring the winner in the 101st minute – keeping them 6pts above the Blades.
Previewing the game, Heckingbottom broke down the Clarets’ style of play on SUTV: “[They] try and stretch the opposition with width. We know what we are facing. They are up there for a reason, and it is our job to change that.”
United have won four of their eight home games, those four wins coming in the first four home matches of the season. A win on Saturday over Burnley would cut the points difference to 3pts, but it is easier said than done. They will be a reinforced side with the expected return of Tommy Doyle and Anel Ahmedhodzic.
The Clarets are the second-best Championship team on their travels, losing just one away game all season. However, they will be without their star player Josh Brownhill who picked up a one-match suspension in their last game. Josh Cullen, an instrumental part of Vincent Kompany’s team, is a doubt with a niggling injury which saw him miss out altogether in midweek.