Championship | Gameweek 17

Nov 26, 2024 at 7.45pm UK

Bramall Lane

Sheff Utdvs.Oxford Utd

Match preview

The Blades are probably feeling a bit mixed about their draw with Coventry. On the one hand, they're happy to have avoided defeat, especially since they were down to 10 men late in the first half. But on the other hand, they're disappointed to have conceded an 80th-minute equaliser and surrendered their 2-1 lead.

Boss Chris Wilder was happy with the result, saying: "I'd say we've definitely gained a point, given how the game went. We're 2-1 up. Should we go for it and play 4-3-2 to open up the game? "We sat in and showed we're prepared to defend at all costs."

Wilder's side have been solid on the defensive end in the Championship this season. They've only let in 10 goals, which is tied for the best in the division. Only fourth-placed Burnley has a better record, having let in nine goals.

The club also has the league's seventh-best offensive record, having scored 21 goals this season. They've also scored at least twice in four of their past five matches.

Sheffield United have won four times and drawn once in their last five games. In fact, they've been triumphant in nine of their last 13 games.

The Blades have had an amazing home record this season, with the club going unbeaten in their eight fixtures at Bramall Lane. They've won seven times and kept six clean sheets in their last six home games.

Oxford are coming into Tuesday's game feeling pretty down after losing in a pretty humiliating fashion against Middlesbrough. The U's were leading 1-0 after 24 minutes but were trailing 3-1 by half time.

Middlesbrough had four good scoring opportunities and took 12 shots from inside the penalty area, while Oxford only had one good scoring opportunity and took six shots from inside the box.

Head coach Des Buckingham will be worried that his team have let in 24 goals in the Championship, which makes them the league's joint fifth-worst defensive club.

Buckingham's side are on a bad run, having only taken three points in one of their last 11 games. They've lost four of their last five.

Oxford have lost five and drawn two of their seven away matches in the second tier. Their record on the road is the second-worst of the 24 teams in the league when you factor in goal difference.

Recent Performance

Sheffield United Championship form:LWWWWD

Oxford United Championship form:DLLWLL

Team News

Sheffield United's Anel Ahmedhodzic was sent off against Coventry, so he might be replaced in the starting lineup by Jack Robinson.

Gustavo Hamer was forced off due to an injury last time out and it's not clear if he'll be fit for Tuesday's match, so Ryan O'Reilly is likely to play in an advanced position.

It looks like forwards Kieffer Moore and Rhian Brewster won't be playing, and neither will midfielder Ollie Arblaster, who isn't scheduled to return until late December.

Oxford will be without wing-back Joseph Bennett, while attackers Kyle Edwards and Siriki Dembele won't be available until early next month.

It looks like Hidde ter Avest and Greg Leigh will be starting on either side of centre-backs Sam Long, Elliott Moore and Ciaron Brown.

Up front, it looks like Buckingham will have Ruben Rodrigues and Tyler Goodrum on the pitch behind striker Mark Harris.

Possible starting lineup

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:

Cooper; Gilchrist, Souttar, Robinson, Burrows; Souza, Peck; Rak-Sakyi, O'Hare, One; Campbell

Oxford United possible starting lineup:

Cumming; Long, Moore, Brown; Ter Avest, Vaulks, Brannagan, Leigh; Rodrigues, Harris, Goodrham