Championship | Gameweek 12

Oct 26, 2024 at 3pm UK

Bramall Lane

Sheff Utd vs Stoke City

Match preview

Sheffield United are back at Bramall Lane on Saturday, hoping to get back to winning ways in their Championship promotion bid. They've had their first setbacks of the campaign since the recent international break.

After a two-point deduction, the Blades had a great start to their first season back in England's second tier. They were unbeaten at the October break, with six wins and three draws from their first nine matches, and sat on 19 points.

The team's defensive record was particularly impressive, having only conceded three goals in those nine outings. They went on to play six consecutive matches without conceding a goal. However, they have been unable to replicate their previous success, losing 2-0 to their Yorkshire rivals Leeds United on Friday.

Then, hoping to put that derby disappointment behind them, Chris Wilder's team faced another tough test on Wednesday in a trip to Middlesbrough. They were unlucky to come away empty-handed, as the game remained goalless until the final 10 minutes, only for Emmanuel Latte Lath to put the hosts ahead 10 minutes from time and seal all three points.

Sheffield United are now in a tricky spot, having dropped three points behind the top two, lost their unbeaten record and failed to score in their last two attempts. They'll be desperate to get back to their best on Saturday and rejoin the leading pack with a return to winning ways on home turf.

They've got another tricky test coming up, though. The visitors are heading to Yorkshire, aiming to continue an improved run.

After a disappointing start to their latest Championship campaign, Stoke City are now on a four-game unbeaten streak and have earned their first points under manager Narcis Pelach.

He took over from Steven Schumacher in September, and after losing two games in a row, the Spanish boss saw his team beat Portsmouth 6-1 and draw with Swansea City without scoring before the international break.

The Potters have now made it three consecutive draws on their return. First, they drew at home to Norwich City. Million Manhoef levelled the game at a goal apiece on the stroke of half time. Then, they hosted Bristol City on Tuesday. They were pegged back to share the spoils by a Nahki Wells brace. Lewis Koumas and Andrew Moran had them 2-0 up early on.

While they'll be disappointed not to convert that lead into a fourth league win, Pelach's men do seem to be growing in confidence. With only two points between them and the top half, they'll be looking to make it five unbeaten games with a return to winning ways to quickly scale the division.

Recent Performance

Sheffield United Championship form:WDWWLL

Stoke City Championship form:LLWDDD

Injuries and suspensions

Sheffield United

No sidelined players

Stoke City

20 Sam Gallagher

Possible starting lineups

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:

Cooper; Gilchrist, Souttar, Ahmedhodzic, Burrows; Souza, Arblaster; Rak-Sakyi, O'Hare, Brooks; Moore

Stoke City possible starting lineup:

Johansson; Wilmot, Rose, Gibson, Bocat; Thompson, Moran; Manhoef, Koumas, Junho; Cannon