Preview: Sheffield United vs. Blackburn Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

The Blades posted their second league victory of the season last time out against Sunderland, while their visitors suffered a defeat to Reading on Wednesday after winning their first three outings in England's tier.

Match preview

Hoping to win promotion back to the Premier League at the second time of asking this season, Sheffield United's campaign began with a 1-0 defeat away at Watford, but they were quickly able to put their first points on the board with a 2-0 home win over Millwall.

Following a first-round exit from the EFL Cup at the hands of West Bromwich Albion, the Blades travelled to take on Middlesbrough in their third league game of the season on Sunday, and, having taken a lead on two separate occasions through Sander Berge and a Ryan Giles own goal, they eventually left with a point as Chuba Akpom hit two goals for the hosts, with the second leveller coming in the 82nd minute.

Paul Heckingbottom's side then most recently hosted Sunderland on Wednesday, and they were able to make it three league games unbeaten and take their tally to seven points from four matches thanks to a 2-1 win.

They had a man advantage from the 31st minute, following Dan Neil's red card, and the Blades quickly took advantage as Anel Ahmedhodzic headed in an opener two minutes later, and, after Max Lowe doubled their lead in the second half and Lynden Gooch pulled one back for the visitors, they would see out a 2-1 win in South Yorkshire.

Having seemingly carried their fine home form under Heckingbottom into the new season, recording two wins in two outings at Bramall Lane thus far, Sheffield United will look to make it three from three at Bramall Lane and move onto 10 points from five outings with another triumph on Saturday.

Their visitors arrive hoping to bounce back from a midweek defeat after making an impressive start to the Championship campaign.

Under the new management of Jon Dahl Tomasson, the Lancashire outfit began with wins over Queens Park Rangers and Swansea City, scoring four goals and not conceding in the process, before thrashing Hartlepool United in their EFL Cup first-round tie.

On their return to league action at the weekend, Rovers picked up where they left off and maintained a perfect record with a 2-1 home win over West Bromwich Albion thanks to goals from Ben Brereton Diaz and Sam Gallagher either side of half time.

Looking to extend that further, Tomasson's side made the trip to Reading on Wednesday, but they were comfortably beaten 3-0 by the Royals as Tom McIntyre, Junior Hoilett and Lucas Joao all got on the scoresheet.

With that defeat putting an end to the Championship's last perfect record, Blackburn will be keen to bounce back to winning ways at the weekend and keep themselves around the top of the division as the table continues to take shape.

Sheffield United Championship form:

Sheffield United form (all competitions):

Blackburn Rovers Championship form:

Blackburn Rovers form (all competitions):

Team News

Given the quick turnaround from Wednesday, both sides may make rotations at the weekend, and Sheffield United now have more options to call on with Oli McBurnie, Tommy Doyle, James McAtee and Chris Basham all returning to contention after injury issues, leaving Jack O'Connell, Jack Robinson, Enda Stevens and Billy Sharp as the only enforced absentees outfield.

McAtee earned a first start on Wednesday but will see his place in the front line under threat, as will Rhian Brewster, with Reda Khadra and McBurnie both vying to come in from the outset after they contributed to the victory with performances off the bench.

John Fleck will likely return to the starting XI alongside Oliver Norwood in midfield, allowing Sander Berge to operate further forward, potentially in a front three, in which Iliman Ndiaye should also keep his place.

Tomasson will also have plenty of decision to make around his team on Saturday, with Bradley Dack pushing to mark his return from a long-term injury with a first league start of the season, while Sam Gallagher and Ryan Hedges are also vying to come back into the XI.

Star man Ben Brereton Diaz should keep his place in the front line amid links to Everton, having already netted two Championship goals this season after scoring 22 times in 37 appearances in the second tier last time around.

Gallagher will likely operate as a lone striker with support from an attacking trio, while captain Lewis Travis will again anchor the midfield alongside John Buckley.

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:

Foderingham; Ahmedhodzic, Egan, Norrington-Davies; Baldock, Norwood, Fleck, Lowe; Berge, Khadra; Ndiaye

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:

Kaminski; Brittain, Ayala, Phillips, Pickering; Buckley, Travis; Hedges, Szmodics, Brereton Diaz; Gallagher

We say: Sheffield United 2-1 Blackburn Rovers

Saturday's contest should certainly be an intriguing one, given Blackburn's positive start and the Blades' growing momentum, and the form Heckingbottom's side have displayed on home turf this calendar year tips the balance in their favour in our eyes.

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