Sheffield United are on their travels again this midweek as they head to Ashton Gate to take on Bristol City.
The Robins are currently in ninth, two points off the playoff spots, thanks to an incredible eight-match unbeaten run, with their latest result being a 3-1 victory away at Paul Heckingbottom’s Preston North End.
Chris Wilder’s men made it back-to-back 2-0 wins with three points at Ewood Park against Blackburn Rovers. Now, they sit one point behind second place Leeds United, and four behind the early league leaders Sunderland.
Transfer business
After losing forwards Andreas Weimann and Tommy Conway to Championship rivals in the summer, Bristol City supporters were probably wondering where the goals were going to come from. But, the veteran Nahki Wells said fear not, and the 34-year-old has linked up with the creative players the Robins brought into the club in the summer.
Attacking midfielder Scott Twine was on loan at Bristol City last season, so he already had a strong connection with the squad coming into this campaign, following his permanent transfer from Burnley. The 25-year-old has been dealing at his new club, scoring and assisting once, he’s already created eight big chances, and is averaging three key passes per game. Twine’s ability is unquestioned, the only worry is his injury history.
It’s becoming a common theme now for English clubs to sign players from the Japanese first division, and Bristol City are another team fishing in that pond having signed Yu Hirakawa. The wide playmaker, who can play on either wing, has great energy and agility, and he’s already made an impact at his new club scoring twice and adding an assist.
At the other end of the pitch, Luke McNally is a typical strong Irish centre-back who possesses an excellent reading of the game. Since his inclusion to the team, he has helped the Robins keep all three of their clean sheets.
Team news
Bristol City boss Liam Manning will likely be without George Tanner, who was forced off early in their win at Preston at the weekend. Joe Williams has an Achilles injury which was suffered in the same game. Scott Twine and Sam Bell are doubts for Tuesday night.
Sheffield United will have Anel Ahmedhodzic available for selection again after serving his one-match suspension last time out against Blackburn Rovers. Rhian Brewster hobbled off at the weekend after suffering a bang on his thigh, so he may be forced to drop to the bench on Tuesday evening. With the Steel City derby coming up this Sunday, Chris Wilder may opt to freshen up his side especially with having three games in eight days.
Bristol City’s star player for this game
One player that I’ve always liked is Irish midfielder Jason Knight. The 23-year-old gets through a lot of work in that midfield and is a very versatile player because he can play either as a six, eight or a ten. He has a goal and three assists in 13 Championship starts this term.
Knight excels in carrying the ball up the pitch, evident by his 88th percentile ranking in progressive carries per game compared to other Championship midfielders in the past 12 months.
He also has excellent reading of the game and this helps him when it comes to pressing up the pitch. Knight ranks in the 88th percentile for shot-creating actions via a defensive action, and this is something the Blades must be wary of in the middle of the park on Tuesday night.
Sheffield United’s star player for this game
Tyrese Campbell has scored two in two games and because of that I think Wilder will start the hot hand on Tuesday night. Campbell has blistering speed which we knew when we signed him, but one thing that’s surprised me is his activity levels in all phases of play: his willingness to press, to track back, and his movement off the ball. I personally thought he was going to be another Lys Mousset in terms of his explosive speed with poor work rate, but that’s clearly not the case.
The one great thing with Campbell is his versatility; he can play as a number nine, a ten, or on either wing, and in games he does float around these positions, which I’m fully okay with because he can impact the game from all these areas.
If Bristol City field their usual three at the back system, I would be confident in Campbell peeling off down the inside of one of the wide centre-backs and causing problems.
My view
The possession game should be quite even on Tuesday night as both sides are also as probing as each other. However, one glaring aspect of Bristol City’s game is to put crosses into the box, averaging 15 crosses per game, and they have the third-highest successful crosses per game in the league, as opposed to United having the second-worst tally in the league, which is frustrating given our main striker, Kieffer Moore, is about 6ft5.
Offensively, both sides are even in all aspects other than in transition. The Blades are the third best team in the Championship when it comes to scoring on the counter, Bristol City are the joint-worst.
Defensively, both sides are strong from set pieces so I can’t imagine many opportunities from these scenarios. The Robins do give up the third-most shots per game from counterattacks, and this is another reason why the Blades should start Tyrese Campbell on Tuesday.
My prediction
Bristol City are riding high at the moment and haven’t lost at home yet this season. However, the Blades put together a complete performance on their travels last Saturday and handed the first home defeat to Blackburn Rovers, so they’ll also be full of confidence heading into this one.
I think it will be tricky to beat the Robins at the minute though because they’re well-coached and a fit team. My prediction is a one-all draw, keeping the momentum going for both sides.
