Chris Wilder will lead Sheffield United when they host Brentford in the Premier League. Liverpool destroyed Wilder’s homecoming against the Reds on Wednesday, losing 2-0. The Bees were unable to hold onto a 1-0 lead against Brighton & Hove Albion, losing 2-1.
Preview (Sheffield United vs. Brentford)
Perfectly assuming the role of spoilers, Liverpool made sure that Wilder’s return to the Bramall Lane sideline would be a frustrating one for the 56-year-old, letting in a powerful goal from Virgil van Dijk in the 37th minute to breach his defense. But the Blades refused to give up, and after Ibrahima Konate appeared to have shoved James McAtee and escaped with a penalty, Dominick Szoboszlai extended the visitors’ lead well into second-half injury time, leaving Wilder ecstatic.
Even if the Blades’ two-goal loss is only one more black mark on their record, they did show improvement from Burnley’s 5-0 thumping of them in Paul Heckingbottom’s final game. Nevertheless, the standings are still depressing for supporters at Bramall Lane. Sheffield United’s loss to Liverpool was their third straight Premier League loss. They now sit at the bottom of the table with just five points—five behind Everton. Sheffield United’s goal-conceded column crossed the 40 mark thanks to goals from Van Dijk and Szoboszlai.
Brentford may also take heart from a quick start against the Seagulls at Brighton’s Amex Stadium. Mbeumo strolled easily up to the 12-yard line to give the Bees the advantage in that birdfight. However, in the hour that followed, everything that could go wrong for Thomas Frank’s team did go wrong. After losing the nimble Cameroonian striker to injury in the second half, Pascal Gross took just four minutes to cancel out Mbeumo’s effort with a brilliant strike from the edge of the box. Shortly after the restart, Brentford gave up the lead to 18-year-old Jack Hinshelwood.
Team News
After being sent off against Burnley, Blades striker Oli McBurnie will serve the second of a two-game suspension on Saturday. Oliver Norwood has also broken the rules; he was booked for the fifth time this season during the Liverpool defeat. He was only a late substitute against the Reds, where all of the following players were absent. Chris Basham (ankle), John Egan (ankle), Tom Davies (thigh), and George Baldock (thigh). Daniel Jebbison (illness), Rhian Brewster (thigh), and Rhys Norrington-Davies (thigh).
Although there haven’t been many updates on Baldock’s recent injury, Jayden Bogle is likely to fill in on the right side this weekend. Most of the Blades’ injured players are anticipated to be sidelined until the New Year. Regarding Brentford, Mbeumo’s season-high seventh goal arrived just 13 minutes before to the winger’s unfortunate removal from the pitch due to an ankle injury that will sideline the 24-year-old for weeks.
Mbeumo’s injury further exacerbates Brentford’s injury crisis, which Frank described as the worst he has ever faced as a manager. In addition to the suspended Ivan Toney, all of these players are expected to miss Saturday’s game: Richard Henry (knee), Kevin Schade (groin), Aaron Hickey (thigh), Kristopher Ajer (foot), and Nathan Collins (ankle). Josh Dasilva (hamstring) and Mathias Jensen (adductor) will also require evaluation closer to the game time. Christian Norgaard, missed the match against Brighton due to a ban. He ought to return right away to the starting lineup.
Sheffield United 0-1 Brentford
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