Predicted Sheffield United to face Norwich City in the Championship
Sheffield United will look to bounce back against Norwich City in the Championship after being dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Hull City via penalty shoot-out on Wednesday.
Kevin Stewart scored the winning penalty as Hull City beat Sheffield United after a 1-1 draw in their Carabao Cup first round tie. New Sheffield United signing Oliver Norwood was the only player to miss in the shootout.
Team News
The Star reports that Sheffield United’s camp has been hit by illness ahead of the Norwich game. Mark Duffy could miss the game due to illness after he was withdrawn at half-time against Hull.
George Baldock remains sidelined with an ankle problem but is not be too far away from returning to training. Meanwhile, defender Jake Wright is still recovering from a cheekbone injury.
Probable Sheffield United XI
Formation: 5-3-2
Manager: Chris Wilder
Dean Henderson (GK)
The young goalkeeper has done excellently for Sheffield United so far this season but big tests lie ahead.
Kieron Freeman (RWB)
Freeman offers width to this Sheffield team but hasn’t provided enough for the Blades this term so far. However, he is expected to start at the weekend.
John Egan (RCB)
Egan was decent in the defeat against Hull in the Carabao Cup but he will be looking to keep a clean sheet against Norwich.
Richard Stearman (CB)
The experienced centre-back always brings a calming influence to Sheffield’s backline and will be looking to keep the Norwich attackers at bay on Saturday.
Jack O’Connell (LCB)
O’Connell played well against Hull in the cup competition and dominated at the back. He will be hoping to continue his form against a difficult Norwich attacking line.
Enda Stevens (LWB)
Stevens is an essential player in Wilder’s eleven as he is the best wing-back they have.
John Fleck (CM)
Fleck’s presence in the midfield keeps Sheffield United ticking. He has had a couple of difficult games but will be looking to impose himself strongly against Norwich.
Oliver Norwood (RCM)
Norwood missed the penalty in the shoot-out against Hull but he will look to make amends on Saturday. He is a tidy passer of the ball and needs to be at his best if the Blades are to win all three points.
John Lundstram (LCM)
Lundstram is a vital player for the Blades as he links the midfield and the attack. He possesses good vision and has the ability to create things out of nothing.
Billy Sharp (RS)
Sharp was on the scoresheet last game but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to win Sheffield the game. He will be hoping to score again.
Read more: Brilliant Sharp, Poor Fleck – The best and the worst rated Sheffield United players vs QPR
David McGoldrick (LS)
McGoldrick was rested last time out but should be back to face Norwich, which should give the Blades more attacking threat up front after Leon Clarke misfired against Hull.