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Attendance: 30,079
Sheffield United logo
Premier League | Gameweek 3
Aug 24, 2019 at 3pm UK
 
Leicester logo

1-2

McBurnie (62')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Vardy (38'), Barnes (70')

Preview: Sheffield United vs. Leicester City - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Premier League clash between Sheffield United and Leicester City at Bramall Lane, including predictions, team news and head-to-head records.

Sheffield United welcome Leicester City to Bramall Lane for a league fixture for the first time since February 2011 on Saturday afternoon.

Both sides come into the match unbeaten in their opening two Premier League games of the season - The Blades picked up their first win of the campaign against Crystal Palace last week, while Leicester City are looking for their first three points of the new season having drawn their opening two fixtures.


Match preview

Sheffield United's John Lundstram celebrates scoring their first goal on August 18, 2019© Reuters

Sheffield United supporters had to wait a long time for Premier League football to return to Bramall Lane - 12 years to be precise. It was a raucous atmosphere as it finally did, and this cacophony of noise helped inspire the Blades to a hard-earned 1-0 victory over a tepid Crystal Palace side last weekend.

United fans took great offence to Danny Mills' ill-informed comments that the Blades are just a "route one" side, and much has since been made of boss Chris Wilder's innovative 3-5-2 formation, featuring overlapping centre-backs.

It seemed fitting, then, that United's winning goal on the return of Premier League football to Bramall Lane came as a direct result of an overlapping run from left centre-back Jack O'Connell - with John Lundstram able to provide the finishing touch.

Having secured a valuable late point away at Bournemouth on the opening day, Blades fans will be buoyant over their chances of survival this season.

Leicester City may currently be residing below Sheffield United in the embryonic Premier League table, but Foxes supporters are in optimistic mood under the guidance of Brendan Rodgers.

The charismatic Rodgers has proved the antithesis to predecessor Claude Puel and breathed life back into the supporters at the King Power Stadium.

Leicester begun the season with a somewhat fortuitous 0-0 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers, after VAR disallowed Leander Dendoncker's goal for Wolves. This was, however, followed by a good performance at Stamford Bridge, with many pundits believing that the Foxes could have taken all three points. Instead, they had to settle for just one.

Foxes supporters will see Saturday's trip to Bramall Lane as a very presentable opportunity to pick up the first victory of what they will believe should be many this season.

Sheffield United form: DW

Leicester City form: DD


Team News

Ben Chilwell in action for Leicester City on July 23, 2019© Reuters

Leicester City will leave it late to decide whether left-back Ben Chilwell can return to the side, having missed out on the Foxes' trip to Stamford Bridge last time out.

The 22-year-old was absent with a groin injury and has a chance of returning this weekend, but it may just come too soon for the England international.

Christian Fuchs is likely to deputise again if Chilwell isn't ready for action.

Callum Robinson felt tightness in his hamstring last time out, but this has been put down to fatigue and the 24-year-old should be available if called upon by Blades boss Chris Wilder.

John Fleck was replaced in the first half against Crystal Palace having picked up a thigh injury. It is not impossible that the Scot could be involved against Leicester, but it would more likely come from the substitutes bench, particularly after his replacement, Luke Freeman's excellent performance.

Neither side have any players suspended for Saturday's match.

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Henderson; Basham, Egan, O'Connell; Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Freeman, Stevens; McGoldrick, McBurnie

Leicester City possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Pereira, Evans, Soyuncu, Fuchs; Ndidi; Perez, Tielemans, Choudhury, Maddison; Vardy


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Sheffield United 0-2 Leicester City

While Sheffield United have certainly proved they can compete at this level in their opening two matches, this will be a step up in quality of position for the Blades. In the likes of James Maddison, Youri Tielemans and Jamie Vardy, the Foxes are oozing quality in the final third, and should get their first victory of the season on Saturday.



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Written by
Étienne Fermie
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Callum Robinson pictured for Sheffield United on August 10, 2019
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Tables header RHS
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1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd22155232112148
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3Burnley2212822891944
4Sunderland22127334181643
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2111462518737
6Middlesbrough22105738281035
7West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom22811326161035
8Watford2110473028234
9Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds229582830-232
10Millwall217772118328
11Swansea CitySwansea227692424027
12Bristol City226972628-227
13Norwich CityNorwich226883734326
14Queens Park RangersQPR2251072328-525
15Luton TownLuton2274112538-1325
16Derby CountyDerby2266102728-124
17Coventry CityCoventry2266102834-624
18Preston North EndPreston2241172229-723
19Stoke CityStoke2257102330-722
20Portsmouth204882535-1020
21Hull City2247112131-1019
22Cardiff CityCardiff2146111934-1518
23Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2146112137-1618
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2146112245-2318


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