Match Previews
The Championship
Round 17
Sheffield United
Sheffield United lose top spot after disappointing Nottingham Forest defeat. Jake Wright and Kean Bryan injured. Mark Duffy doubtful. Chris Basham back after ban.
Sheffield United suffered a poor performance last week as they went down 1-0 at Nottingham Forest. In contrast to recent weeks, the Blades offered very little going forward and that ultimately resulted in the loss.
Nevertheless United are in a superb position going into this game with their bitter rivals. They may be down to 3rd but victory will send them back to the top of the Championship.
Chris Basham returns after suspension so is likely to go straight back into the team. Mark Duffy is doubtful while Jake Wright and Kean Bryan both remain out.
Chris Wilder has a few decisions to make after making changes last time out, the exact line-up for this game is a little unclear especially with so much at stake.
United have a decent home record with five wins, two draws and just one defeat this season at Bramall Lane.
Sheffield Wednesday
Wednesday woefully out of form with four straight defeats. Fernando Forestieri and Marco Matias could return. Sam Hutchinson, Joost van Aken, Kieran Lee, Almen Abdi, Gary Hooper, Sam Winnall and Keiren Westwood injured.
Sheffield Wednesday could not be in worse form ahead of the Steel City derby, regarded as their biggest game of the season. The Owls have lost all four games since the last international break and confidence is low.
Wednesday were thrashed 4-0 at home by Norwich last time out even though Cameron Dawson had saved a first half penalty.
Jos Luhukay appears to be under some pressure so may consider making changes for such a huge game.
However Wednesday still have major injury issues, which has hit them all season, and again missing will be Sam Hutchinson, Joost van Aken, Kieran Lee, Almen Abdi, Gary Hooper, Sam Winnall and Keiren Westwood.
Wednesday though have better news concerning both Fernando Forestieri and Marco Matias who could return.
Wednesday have won three games on the road this season with five defeats, no draws. Wednesday lost 4-2 at home to United last term but drew 0-0 on their latest Bramall Lane visit.
- ---
3-5-2
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dean Henderson | |||
| John Egan | |||
| Chris Basham | |||
| Jack O'Connell | |||
| Kieron Freeman | |||
| John Fleck | |||
| Oliver Norwood | |||
| Paul Coutts | |||
| Enda Stevens | |||
| Billy Sharp | |||
| Leon Clarke |
4-4-2
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Dawson | |||
| Liam Palmer | |||
| Daniel Pudil | |||
| Tom Lees | |||
| Matt Penney | |||
| Barry Bannan | |||
| Joey Pelupessy | |||
| Joshua Onomah | |||
| Adam Reach | |||
| Steven Fletcher | |||
| Atdhe Nuhiu |
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dean Henderson | |||
| John Egan | |||
| Chris Basham | |||
| Jack O'Connell | |||
| Kieron Freeman | |||
| John Fleck | |||
| Oliver Norwood | |||
| Paul Coutts | |||
| Enda Stevens | |||
| Billy Sharp | |||
| Leon Clarke |
Sheffield Wednesday
Wednesday woefully out of form with four straight defeats. Fernando Forestieri and Marco Matias could return. Sam Hutchinson, Joost van Aken, Kieran Lee, Almen Abdi, Gary Hooper, Sam Winnall and Keiren Westwood injured.
Sheffield Wednesday could not be in worse form ahead of the Steel City derby, regarded as their biggest game of the season. The Owls have lost all four games since the last international break and confidence is low.
Wednesday were thrashed 4-0 at home by Norwich last time out even though Cameron Dawson had saved a first half penalty.
Jos Luhukay appears to be under some pressure so may consider making changes for such a huge game.
However Wednesday still have major injury issues, which has hit them all season, and again missing will be Sam Hutchinson, Joost van Aken, Kieran Lee, Almen Abdi, Gary Hooper, Sam Winnall and Keiren Westwood.
Wednesday though have better news concerning both Fernando Forestieri and Marco Matias who could return.
Wednesday have won three games on the road this season with five defeats, no draws. Wednesday lost 4-2 at home to United last term but drew 0-0 on their latest Bramall Lane visit.
- ---
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Dawson | |||
| Liam Palmer | |||
| Daniel Pudil | |||
| Tom Lees | |||
| Matt Penney | |||
| Barry Bannan | |||
| Joey Pelupessy | |||
| Joshua Onomah | |||
| Adam Reach | |||
| Steven Fletcher | |||
| Atdhe Nuhiu |
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Wildsmith | |||
| Jordan Thorniley | |||
| Ashley Baker | |||
| Morgan Fox | |||
| George Boyd | |||
| Dave Jones | |||
| Fraser Preston | |||
| Lucas Joao |