Sheffield United aim to secure consecutive Premier League victories for the first time this season as they host Brighton & Hove Albion at Bramall Lane this Sunday afternoon.
Last weekend, the Blades emerged victorious with a 3-1 win against fellow newly promoted side Luton Town, while Brighton suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
Sheffield United have reached a point tally of 13 points, drawing level with Burnley. However, Burnley’s superior goal difference is currently keeping the Blades at the bottom of the table. Despite this, there’s a significant seven-point gap to close to catch up with Luton, who they recently defeated, but the Hatters hold a game in hand. To avoid relegation from the Premier League, Sheffield United will need nothing short of a minor miracle.
Since their thrilling 3-2 victory at Nottingham Forest’s ground in November, Brighton’s away form has taken a downturn, garnering just two points from the last 18 available on the road. They’ve failed to score in three of their last five away matches in the top flight. However, these offensive concerns seemed to dissipate during their recent match at Bramall Lane.
Brighton managed to secure a dominant 5-2 win against Chris Wilder’s team in the FA Cup, breaking a seven-game winless streak against Sheffield United. The Blades had previously held Brighton to a 1-1 draw at the Amex Stadium in November, and in league encounters, they haven’t lost to the Seagulls since Leon Knight’s 90th-minute goal in a 2004/05 Championship clash.
Team news
Once again, Chris Wilder will have to contend with the absence of Chris Basham, John Egan and now Rhys Norrington-Davies. Ivo Grbic, George Baldock, Ben Brereton-Diaz and Oli McBurnie remain touch-and-go, while Gustavo Hamer is likely to start on Sunday despite suffering a dead leg against Luton.
Joao Pedro, who netted a hat-trick in the FA Cup demolition of Sheffield United in January, remains sidelined with a thigh injury. Additionally, Solly March (knee), James Milner (thigh), and Julio Enciso (knee) are still under the care of the medical team, per Premier Injuries.
However, there’s a glimmer of good news with Simon Adingra’s return from the Africa Cup of Nations, where he played a pivotal role in Ivory Coast’s triumph. Furthermore, the return of Kaoru Mitoma and Ansu Fati adds a more formidable presence to the Seagulls’ frontline once again.
Stats
Sheffield United have maintained an unbeaten streak in their last seven league matches against Brighton, winning four and drawing three. Their last defeat against Brighton in league competition occurred in January 2005 with a 2-1 loss at home in the Championship.
Brighton have failed to secure a win in all five of their Premier League encounters with Sheffield United, managing only three draws and suffering two losses. They’ve faced only Fulham more frequently without clinching a victory in the competition.
On the other hand, Sheffield United hold an undesirable record, conceding the most home Premier League goals among all teams with 31 goals in 12 games. In Premier League history, only West Brom in the 2020/21 season have conceded more goals in their first 12 home matches in a season, with 32 goals.
Furthermore, Brighton are currently enduring a winless streak of six away Premier League matches, registering two draws and four losses. This streak marks their longest spell without a win on the road since a seven-game run under Graham Potter between September and December 2021.
