Sheffield United will host Bournemouth in a battle between two teams lower on the table. The revitalized Blades had just finished a 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion when the Cherries crushed Newcastle United 2-0 to put an end to their hopes of qualifying for Europe.
Preview (Sheffield United vs. Bournemouth)
The international break is said to arrive at the worst possible time for some teams. Sheffield United is one of such teams. Prior to this month, the team had only managed one point from ten games. They gained four points from two matches earlier in the month. Following their well-deserved but highly contentious victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, which saw the recently promoted team secure their first victory of the season at the eleventh attempt, Paul Heckingbottom’s crop took on a crippled and injured Brighton team, who were the ones who caused their own demise at the Amex.
Simon Adingra, the Seagulls’ rising star, took just six minutes to open the scoring for the afternoon. However, five minutes after Brighton’s Mahmoud Dahoud was sent off, Adam Webster’s own goal sent the Blades back to the starting lineup with a well-earned point. Sheffield United enjoyed a run of three wins and a draw under Chris Wilder in the COVID-19 era, something they hadn’t done in two straight Premier League games before. However, their reward is only an 18th-place ranking in the table due to Everton’s 10-point deduction. They are one point behind Luton Town in the safety of 17th place.
If Sheffield United can handle their business against Bournemouth and the Hatters produce an unsatisfactory performance against Crystal Palace, they may be able to move above the dreaded dotted line. However, they have yet to record a clean sheet in the top flight this season. Their opponents also started the fortnight’s break on a high note. Physical issues ultimately caught up to Newcastle’s devastated crop during their loss to Bournemouth. Eddie Howe’s homecoming to the Vitality Stadium was forgettable for the former Cherries boss. Injuries also played a part in Brighton’s inability to defeat Sheffield United.
Team News
It would be an understatement to say that Sheffield United’s point against Brighton was costly because Jayden Bogle, James McAtee, and Vincecius Souza were all substituted off in the second half, with the former playing just 52 minutes because of a back problem. Although McAtee and Bogle just seemed to be experiencing cramps. Nevertheless, Oli McBurnie (groin) and Anel Ahmedhodzic (thigh) are questionable for this one. Heckingbottom will still be missing the services of Chris Basham (ankle), Rhian Brewster (thigh), Rhys Norrington-Davies (thigh), John Egan (ankle), and Tom Davies (thigh). Max Lowe was also able to make the bench at the Amex after overcoming an ankle surgery.
When he speaks with the media on Saturday, Iraola should give an update on both players. Adam Smith would replace Aarons on the right. Justin Kluivert would be hopeful of keeping his spot in the event that Billing fails a late fitness test. But just like the Blades, Bournemouth has a long list of confirmed absences as well, including Darren Randolph (sickness), Ryan Fredericks (calf), Emiliano Marcondes (ankle), Tyler Adams (thigh), and Alex Scott (knee).
Sheffield United 1 – 1 Bournemouth
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