Crystal Palace make the long journey to Sheffield to face relegated Sheffield United at Bramall Lane as the Eagles continue their slim hopes of making the top half.

The Eagles have only won once in their last five Premier League games but they will hopeful after ending a difficult run of games against the likes of Leicester City, Manchester City and Chelsea

Embed from Getty Images

The defence has been shaky in the past few weeks but they will want to regain confidence with a clean sheet against a Blades side who will want to bow out of the top-flight on a high.

Last time out, Sheffield United were thumped 4-0 by Tottenham Hotspur and will want to avoid handing a league double to the Eagles.

  • Team News

Paul Heckingbottom's injury worries have been reduced with centre-back Chris Basham likely to be fit after starting the Tottenham game, whilst Sander Berge came off the bench for the first time since December when he suffered a serious hamstring injury.

Embed from Getty Images

However, forwards Oli McBurnie and Billy Sharp alongside defenders Jack O'Connell and Jack Robinson are likely to miss the remainder of the season with injuries.

O'Connell has not played since September with the likes of Ethan Ampadu, Kean Bryan and Enda Stevens playing on the left-hand side of defence.

Palace have been hit heavily in defence of late with Mamadou Sakho, James Tomkins and Nathan Ferguson remaining out, whilst Gary Cahill could be in contention to start after featuring on the bench against Man City. 

Embed from Getty Images

Midfielders James McArthur and Connor Wickham remain out of action so Scott Dann and Cheikhou Kouyate are likely to partner up at the heart of the defence with Christian Benteke and Wilfried Zaha leading in attack alongside Eberechi Eze.

  • Possible lineups

Sheffield United XI: Aaron Ramsdale, George Baldock, John Egan, Basham, Omar Bogle, Oliver Norwood, John Fleck, Ben Osborn, Stevens, David McGoldrick and Rhian Brewster.

Crystal Palace XI: Vicente Guaita, Joel Ward, Kouyate, Dann, Tyrick Mitchell, Andros Townsend, Luka Milivojevic, Jairo Riedewald, Eze, Benteke and Zaha. 

  • Form Guide

Both sides have won once in their last five games but the Blades have won their last three home games against Palace in all competitions.

Despite Brammal Lane not being a happy hunting ground for the Eagles, Palace will be hoping to take this opportunity to return to winning ways.

Sheffield United did the double over Palace last season but the fortunes have changed between the two and Palace will want to get revenge and do the league double over the Blades this season.

  • Ones to Watch

Sheffield United - David McGoldrick

The Irish international has netted seven of United's 18 league goals this season and will play a pivotal role in their bid to return to the Premier League after next season.

Embed from Getty Images

His hold-up play and workmanship upfront could cause Kouyate and Dann problems if he is not marked closely. Despite a torrid season for the Blades, they can not be underestimated in this fixture.

Crystal Palace - Christian Benteke

Benteke starting this game is of high importance to Palace as they will need a strong, tall striker as United are likely to turn this affair into a scrappy one.

Embed from Getty Images

Palace may have to play long and Benteke will be their man in the air especially from set-pieces offensively and defensively. The Belgian international will hope to profit off of the likes of Zaha and Eze who can link well together when on their game. 

  • Previous Meeting

Crystal Palace 2-0 Sheffield United (02/01/21)

The first chance of the game fell to Palace and resulted in the opener when Townsend's ball found the run of Zaha who played the ball to Benteke who laid the ball off for Jeffrey Schlupp to fire into the bottom far corner.

Schlupp was involved again, this time sending Zaha down the left-hand side with the Ivorian squaring to Benteke who couldn't find the back of the net, firing just wide of the near post.

Sheffield United couldn't get going and only had their first real opportunity when Ampadu found the run of Bogle who from a tight angle, fired straight at Guaita for a comfortable save.

On the stroke of half-time, Eze gathered the ball in midfield before going on an electrifying solo run beating a few players before calmly stroking the ball into the far corner.

Near the end of the game, United had a chance to halve the deficit when Basham's clever back-heel found academy youngster Antwoine Hackford whose effort was blocked by Ward.

  • Where to watch on TV

The game will be shown live on Sky Sports Premier League from 2:45 pm; kick-off 3 pm.

Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after full-time.

If you can't watch the game live, then there will be full live text coverage from VAVEL with minute-by-minute updates on the news at Brammal Lane as they unfold.

  • Prediction

Relegated Sheffield United were thrashed 4-0 by Tottenham last time out, confirming their 27th defeat of the Premier League campaign so far. 

Palace lost 2-0 to Man City last weekend but they are 11 points clear of the relegation zone and can confirm mathematical safety with a win against the Blades.

Only one team has scored in five of the past six meetings between the two, so there is a confidence that the first goal will decide the winners of this game.

United will have confidence going into this game, winning their last three home game against the Eagles but Palace have enough firepower to edge all three points here.

Prediction: Sheffield United 0-1 Crystal Palace

VAVEL Logo
About the author