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Writer's pictureCameron Calvert

South Yorkshire Preview: Blades Aim for Back-to-Back Wins at Bramall Lane


Blades boss Chris Wilder. (Credit: Getty Images)

Sheffield United will host Chelsea at Bramall Lane on Sunday as they look for back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time this season.

The Blades came from a goal down to win 2-1 against West Bromwich Albion in midweek, with Jayden Bogle and Billy Sharp on the scoresheet.

The Blues also picked up an important win under new boss Thomas Tuchel last time out, winning 0-1 against Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday night with Jorginho scoring from the spot.

Ethan Ampadu cannot face parent club Chelsea and is a big loss for the home side, particularly with other defenders out injured.

Kean Bryan or Phil Jagielka will deputise for Ampadu. Both, more so the latter, recently did well in a win over Manchester United.

Ampadu will be unavailbe for Sheffield United against Chelsea.

George Baldock was forced off just before half-time in their 2-1 win over West Brom in midweek and must be rated as a major doubt here.

Chris Wilder will be tempted to call on Olivier McBurnie or Oli Burke to try and cause Chelsea's defence some problems here.

Sheffield United have won three of their four home Premier League matches against Chelsea (L1), winning twice in 1993 and 3-0 last season.

None of the last 15 league meetings between Sheffield United and Chelsea at Bramall Lane have ended as a draw (nine Sheffield United wins, six Chelsea wins).

Chelsea have lost just one of their last 23 Premier League matches against sides from Yorkshire (W17 D5), though it came in their trip to Bramall Lane last season.


Balcombe saves from Jorge Grant.

In League One, Doncaster Rovers will face play off-chasing Oxford United at the Keepmoat Stadium on Saturday.

Rovers won 0-1 against Lincoln City last week, with Taylor Richards on the scoresheet before Ellery Balcombe saved two penalties in the second half.

Oxford have won each of their last seven league games, their longest winning run in Football League history and also reached the semi finals of the Papa John’s Trophy in midweek, beating AFC Wimbledon 3-1 with goals from former Wednesday striker Sam Winnall (twice) and Olamide Shodipo.

Captain James Coppinger and on-loan Arsenal attacker Tyreece John-Jules remain sidelined for Doncaster, who could be unchanged from impressive victory at Lincoln last weekend.

Doncaster Rovers have one win from their last seven matches against Oxford United in the league (D3 L3).

However, the win was achieved during their most recent encounter against the U’s (1-0).

Donny have won their last four matches in League One, the last time they won five in a row in the English League was in January 2017.


Cauley Woodrow in action against Forest.

In the Championship, Barnsley will host Wayne Rooney’s Derby County at Oakwell on Saturday.

The Tykes drew 0-0 with Nottingham Forest last weekend at the City Ground, whilst Derby were hammered 3-0 in midweek by Rotherham United.

Valerien Ismael will switch to a 3-4-1-2 system this weekend with Orlando City loanee Daryl Dike set to make his debut up top.

One other change is on the cards for the home side with Michael Sollbauer pushing for a recall at the back.

The Reds are looking to record a league double over Derby County for the first time since the 1983/84 season.

Derby County have won just two of their last nine away league visits to Oakwell against Barnsley (D4 L3).

Barnsley are winless in all five league matches in 2021 (D2 L3) – the Tykes have not failed to win any of their first six league games in a year since 2003 (also six).


Scenes on the Sheffield Wednesday bench after Rhodes scored the late winner at the Vitality Stadium.

Elsewhere in the Championship, Sheffield Wednesday will travel to the capital to face Millwall on Saturday.

The Owls beat AFC Bournemouth on Tuesday night by two goals to one, with Callum Paterson and Jordan Rhodes scoring for Neil Thompson’s men, whilst Millwall earned a credible 0-0 draw against Norwich City.

Neil Thompson could make three changes as he reverts back to a 3-5-2 system with Josh Windass, Kadeem Harris and Massimo Luongo all pushing for recalls.

Defensive trio Dominic Iorfa, Joost van Aken and Moses Odubajo all remain unavailable for the home side.

Three of the last four Championship meetings between Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday have ended goalless.

Since a Tom Lees goal in August 2018, Sheffield Wednesday have not scored a league goal against Millwall, a run of 404 minutes without a goal against the Lions.

Rhodes is looking to score in consecutive league games for the Owls for the first time since November 2017.


Millers boss Paul Warne will be hoping to keep his side in the division this season.

Finally, Rotherham United will face Preston North End at Deepdale on Saturday in the Championship.

The Millers destroyed Derby County on Wednesday night, winning 3-0 with goals from Michael Ihiekwe, Michael Smith and Ryan Giles, whilst Preston lost 1-0 away to Sheffield Wednesday in their last fixture.

Paul Warne will look to name an unchanged starting XI for the trip to Deepdale following an incredible performance against Derby in midweek.

Left-back Joe Mattock and winger Chiedozie Ogbene are the away side's only confirmed absentees.

Rotherham United are looking for their first league double over Preston North End since the 1990/91 campaign.

The Millers are looking to win three consecutive away matches in the second tier of English football for the first time since December 2003.

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