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

The Blades fell short in their season-opener away at newly-relegated Watford, while their visitors kicked off with a home victory over Stoke City last weekend before being dumped out of the EFL Cup on Tuesday.

Match preview

Sheffield United headed into the new Championship campaign hoping to earn a return to the Premier League at the second time of asking, after Paul Heckingbottom's appointment early last season triggered an improvement at Bramall Lane and saw the Blades earn a playoff place.

Having eventually finished fifth thanks to a strong second half to the campaign, they booked a semi-final tie with Nottingham Forest, and, after a 1-0 home defeat and an opening goal for Steve Cooper's men at the City Ground, the South Yorkshire outfit were able to take the contest to extra time as Morgan Gibbs-White and John Fleck hit second-half goals.

Eventually falling short in a penalty shootout, the Blades headed into a summer of preparation for their second year back in the Championship with several changes made to Heckingbottom's squad, as the loans of Gibbs-White, Ben Davies and Conor Hourihane came to an end, while Anel Ahmedhodzic, Ciaran Clark, Tommy Doyle and Reda Khadra have all come through the door at Bramall Lane.

They faced the tough test of a trip to Watford to kick off the new term on Monday, and, after a goalless first half, the Blades were eventually condemned to a narrow defeat as Joao Pedro finished off a breakaway for the hosts.

Now looking for a first win in their bid to establish themselves in the leading pack in England's second tier, Heckingbottom's men will hope to make the most of home advantage in their first game at Bramall Lane of the new league season and put three points on the board.

Millwall, meanwhile, head into the new term hoping for further improvement under Gary Rowett, after finishing ninth last year and only dropping out of the top eight after a final-day defeat.

They enjoyed success over Saturday's opponents, firstly winning 2-1 at Bramall Lane in October before Jake Cooper hit the only goal in a triumph at The Den in February.

Looking to become even more competitive in the race for a top-six finish this time around, the London outfit kicked off their league season with a home contest against Stoke City on Saturday, and they came out with all three points as debutant Charlie Cresswell scored both goals in a 2-0 home victory.

On the back of that positive start, Rowett's men travelled to Cambridge United on Tuesday for an EFL Cup first-round tie, but they were unable to make it two wins from two competitive games as Liam O'Neill fired the hosts to a 1-0 win, dumping the Lions out of the competition.

Now turning their attention back to league football, Millwall will hope to again get the better of the Blades and record a second straight Championship win at the weekend.

Sheffield United Championship form:

Millwall Championship form:

Millwall form (all competitions):

Team News

Sheffield United have several injuries to contend with, as defenders Jack Robinson and Chris Basham are set to miss out alongside long-term absentee Jack O'Connell, while Tommy Doyle and Oli McBurnie are also sidelined and Enda Stevens was forced off with a knock against Watford.

With Stevens's availability unclear, Rhys Norrington-Davies could move across to the left-wing-back role with Anel Ahmedhodzic set to come into the back three for his competitive debut after serving a one-match suspension on Monday.

After missing the end of last season, captain Billy Sharp was fit to come off the bench last time out, but Heckingbottom may continue to ease the 36-year-old back into action with Daniel Jebbison or Rhian Brewster more likely to lead the line, while Iliman Ndiaye and Sander Berge should again play in support of a lone front man.

Millwall will be without new midfielder George Honeyman for Saturday's game, as he is suspended after being sent off in their cup defeat to Cambridge, although the Lions are not expected to be dealing with any serious injury concerns.

Rowett will again line his side up in a 3-4-2-1 system, with Leeds United loanee Charlie Cresswell set to operate in the back three likely alongside Jake Cooper and Murray Wallace.

Further forward, Benik Afobe should take back his place up front after dropping out for the EFL Cup contest, with Tom Bradshaw and new signing Zian Flemming set to play behind the front man, given Honeyman's suspension and the summer departure of star man Jed Wallace.

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:

Foderingham; Ahmedhodzic, Egan, Clark; Baldock, Fleck, Norwood, Norrington-Davies; Berge, Ndiaye; Brewster

Millwall possible starting lineup:

Bialkowski; Cresswell, Cooper, Wallace; Leonard, Mitchell, Saville, Malone; Flemming, Bradshaw; Afobe

We say: Sheffield United 1-1 Millwall

The hosts will certainly be going all out for three points, and, despite their injury issues, they still have the tools to hurt most Championship sides, but Millwall may continue to be a thorn in the side of the Blades.

Previews by email