Sheffield United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

Bramall Lane plays host to a must-win Premier League clash between basement boys Sheffield United and resurgent Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Sheffield United’s nightmarish return to the Premier League continued last weekend with a humiliating 5-0 defeat at Arsenal, condemning Paul Heckingbottom’s side to a ninth loss in ten top-flight fixtures this term (D1). Despite avoiding the axe by the skin of his teeth, the under-pressure manager is walking a tightrope and could terminate his relationship with the ‘Blades’ if they fail to avenge a three-game losing streak ‘to nil’ versus Wolverhampton. Nailed to the bottom of the Premier League standings as the worst defensive side in the division (29 goals conceded), the hosts come into proceedings having lost their last six league matches by an aggregate score of 22-3, suggesting visiting Wolverhampton could have a walk in the park.

On the other hand, Gary O’Neil’s men have hit a purple patch after an underwhelming five-game Premier League start (W1, L4), going unbeaten in their last five league outings (W2, D3), including an action-packed 2-2 draw against high-flying Newcastle United in the previous round. However, Wolves’ away league record in 2023/24 remains indifferent (W2, D1, L2), with one common denominator. Barring a goal-glutted 3-2 defeat at Crystal Palace, the ‘Wanderers’ have conceded under 1.5 goals on their remaining four top-flight travels under O’Neil. But despite their defensive resilience and a relatively uneventful frontline, their last three away league matches have seen both teams on the scoresheet, a feat unseen in their four most recent visits to Bramall Lane, all competitions included (W2, L2).