Sheffield United vs Preston North End – Preview | OneFootball

Sheffield United host Preston North End on Saturday, and they will warmly welcome back former management duo Paul Heckingbottom and Stuart McCall in the Bramall Lane dugouts.

This clash will be one of the very last Saturday 3PM home kick-offs of the season. The Blades have been outstanding at S2 throughout the campaign, winning 12 of 17 games, the only other side to get more home victories than Chris Wilder’s side are Leeds United.

United showed their incredible bounce-back ability last weekend when they saw off the stern test of Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road. But it’s that crucial time of the campaign where no team can afford to get too high or too low with results. Especially when the automatic promotion race is as close as it is between Leeds United, Sheffield United and Burnley.

Preston have struggled for victories of late with the Lilywhites recording one win in their last six Championship fixtures, though they have won two of their last four away from home.

Flashback

It was around this time back in the 2022/23 Championship campaign when Paul Heckingbottom had to steady the ship as the Blades began to look weary in the promotion race.

Sheffield United lost four league games between mid February and early March. But Hecky and Stuart McCall got things back on track and went on to win eight of their final ten matches. And with 11 matches left, it’s looking like the Blades will have to replicate that sort of season-ending form this time around if they wish to achieve automatic promotion over Burnley.

Team News

The Blades welcomed Femi Seriki back to action in the win over QPR, and he didn’t show any signs of rustiness. The promising right-back could be in line for a start against his former under-21’s coach, Paul Heckingbottom.

One of the main reasons Seriki may be pushed to start again earlier than expected is due to the foot injury Harry Clarke picked up versus Leeds United. Clarke and Alfie Gilchrist are set to miss the next couple of weeks, as is versatile midfielder Tom Davies.

Meanwhile, Preston may not risk midfielder Stefan Teiter Thordarson after the Iceland international was forced to miss the midweek game against Swansea City after feeling discomfort in his hamstring, although Heckingbottom revealed there was no damage to it.

Defensive-minded midfielder Alistair McCann is a doubt for the weekend due to a calf issue.

Sheffield United’s Impact Player For This Game

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – JANUARY 24: Joe Gelhardt of Hull City is challenged by Jack Robinson and Vinicius Souza of Sheffield United during the Sky Bet Championship match

Vinicius Souza was first class in United’s win at QPR, showing a mixture of everything. He has an extra gear at this level, as we’ve seen all season, he can skip past players in midfield, as shown by his two for two dribble success. He can deliver switch balls, crosses or through balls with great accuracy, as shown by his assist for the first goal. And he can dominate teams with his physicality, winning eight of 13 total duels and three successful tackles.

Souza’s role in the team is absolutely key, and for what it’s worth, he’s been our most valuable player this term in my opinion. He sits there in front of the defence, mops up danger. He recycles the ball and beats the press really well.

He can really run a game on his own, and he’ll do that against a typical Championship midfield of Preston this weekend.

Preston North End’s Impact Player For This Game

Sam Greenwood is a player that has blown hot and cold whenever I’ve seen him play, at a number of clubs. But when the attacking midfielder is on form, he can have a big impact on any game in the Championship.

The 23-year-old has five goals and two assists to his name in 31 appearances. He can play across a number of positions, such as: a number ten, a slightly deeper striker in a two, or on either wing.

He has created 38 chances this season, the highest among any other Preston North End player. He’s also averaging the second-most shots on target per game, only behind star striker Emil Riis. He’s currently ranked in the 72nd percentile among Championship attacking midfielders and wingers in regards to shot-creating actions.

It will definitely be interesting to see where Greenwood actually lines up on Saturday. I’d guess that Heckingbottom will recognise weaknesses in some of his former Blades players so a front two of Riis and Greenwood could be the way to go, with Riis up against Anel Ahmedhodzic and Greenwood peeling off towards the right half-space to engage the lesser mobile Jack Robinson.

My Prediction

Preston North End looked a lost cause in the first two games of the season, conceding five goals and scoring none. This forced them into a change in manager, and Heckingbottom has done a fantastic job to get them playing like a solid mid-table team once more.

The Blades are much better offensively than Preston both on paper and statistically, that should come as no surprise.

The away side are used to having less of the ball, but when they do have it they play direct to forwards and wide players. But, that changes the closer they get to the box.

Defensively, Heckingbottom’s team are above the Championship average, and they fight for every loose ball. Preston are the third-best team in the air in the division, while the Blades are the best team in the air. They’re also very good defensively in transition, allowing the second-least shots from counterattacks in the league.

That being said, Sheffield United are in must-win mode from now until the end of the season in front of their home fans, which is a dangerous prospect for visiting teams. I’m going for the same score at Deepdale: a 2-0 win for the Blades.

All stats taken from FBref and Opta.