Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
EL Salvador
Indonesia
Lithuania
Montenegro
North Macedonia
South Africa
United Arab Emirates

Sheff Utdvs.Nott'm Forest

sportsmole.co.uk, 2 May 2024, 11:21
Now condemned to Championship football for the 2024-25 season, Sheffield United can at least do their bit to try to bring Nottingham Forest down with them on Saturday afternoon.

A 5-1 crushing at the hands of Newcastle United confirmed the Blades' relegation from the Premier League, while Nuno Espirito Santo's side are dangling above danger after their 2-0 loss to Manchester City.

Match preview

Requiring a shock St James' Park success over European outsiders Newcastle to stand any chance of a great escape, Sheffield United stunned the Magpies faithful through Anel Ahmedhodzic's fifth-minute header last weekend and had Eddie Howe's men on the ropes in the early exchanges.

Blades fans may have been left wondering where that fighting spirit had been all season, but Chris Wilder's men wasted a couple of golden openings to extend their advantage, and they were made to pay the ultimate price after prodding the black and white bear.

Alexander Isak (two), Callum Wilson, Bruno Guimaraes and a Ben Osborn own goal completed an emphatic Newcastle turnaround and ensured that the Blades would be making a swift return to the second tier, marking their ninth relegation from the top flight of English football - the same number as bitter foes Sheffield Wednesday.

Wilder's troops have not been consigned to a 20th-placed finish just yet, but they are eight points behind Burnley and nine worse off than Luton Town with just nine left to play for, so anything other than an inconsequential maximum this weekend and Sheffield United will remain rock bottom of the pile.

Avoiding an unwanted slice of Premier League history will be the ultimate goal for Sheffield United, though, as with 97 goals shipped this season, they are just four shy of breaking the all-time record in the competition, set by the Swindon Town side of 1993-94 who let in 100 in 42 matches.

Each of Sheffield United's last three Premier League contests has seen Wilder's men concede at least four times, and Saturday's visitors Nottingham Forest must therefore do their utmost to expose the Blades' frailties if they are to keep their heads above top-flight waters.

However, Santo's side left their best shooting boots in the City Ground dressing room during last Sunday's visit of Man City, where Chris Wood in particular was guilty of profligacy in front of goal, as the holders prevailed thanks to Josko Gvardiol's header and an Erling Haaland finish.

A third defeat in four Premier League matches for the Tricky Trees leaves them just one point better off than Luton Town in 17th spot, and while they also have a superior goal difference to fall back on, they will be plunged into the drop zone if the Hatters overcome Everton on Friday evening.

Amid Sheffield United's well-documented defensive failings, Nottingham Forest have also shipped multiple goals in each of their last four contests and are still waiting for their first top-flight success on the road in 2024, having not triumphed on their Premier League travels since besting Newcastle on Boxing Day.

The Garibaldi also have just the one win to show from their last 19 Premier League games against promoted sides, although that came in the reverse fixture at the City Ground in August, where Wood was the 89th-minute hero in a 2-1 victory over their demoted opponents.

Sheffield United Premier League form:

L

D

L

L

L

L

Nottingham Forest Premier League form:

D

W

L

D

L

L

Team News

The Sheffield United medical team are working overtime on a double-figure list of absentees, and only Rhian Brewster - on the cusp of a return from a thigh injury - might be given the green light to make the Blades' squad this weekend.

However, James McAtee (groin), Oli McBurnie (thigh), Rhys Norrington-Davies (thigh), Max Lowe (ankle), Chris Basham (ankle), John Egan (ankle), Daniel Jebbison (illness), George Baldock (calf) and Tom Davies (thigh) are sidelined, leaving Wilder with limited options for change.

The Blades boss may be tempted to throw some of his younger players into the deep end regardless with relegation confirmed, and owing to Wes Foderingham conceding nine goals in two fixtures, Ivo Grbic might return in between the posts.

As for Nottingham Forest, Santo was dealt a triple defensive blow in the loss to Man City, where Neco Williams and Murillo both sustained injuries either side of the half-time whistle, while Willy Boly was also the victim of a late knock.

Santo is keeping his fingers crossed that all three have avoided serious problems, but there have been no official updates on their respective conditions, while Taiwo Awoniyi and Nicolas Dominguez are still touch-and-go at the time of writing.

Andrew Omobamidele and Gonzalo Montiel are waiting in the wings should defensive alterations be required, and after opting for a safe 5-4-1 approach against Man City, Santo ought to sacrifice a rearguard member in favour of a more offensive lineup at Bramall Lane.

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:

Grbic; Robinson, Trusty, Ahmedhodzic; Bogle, Souza, Hamer, Arblaster, Osborn; Brereton Diaz, Archer

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:

Sels; Montiel, Niakhate, Omobamidele, Aina; Danilo, Yates; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood

We say: Sheffield United 1-3 Nottingham Forest

Knowing that nothing they do from hereon in will affect their relegated status, Sheffield United should be released from their shackles and play with a bit more freedom against a leaky Nottingham Forest side dealing with some untimely defensive concerns.

Previews by email
Show more

Top News

1 March 2025 talksport.com Al Nassr cult hero Anderson Talisca has got involved in his old side's affairs, leading to suggestions he was targeting Cristiano Ronaldo. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City's teenage starlet Nico O'Reilly was at the double as the Sky Blues secured a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals courtesy of a 3-1 comeback win over a spirited Plymouth Argyle side at the Etihad Stadium. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid's La Liga title hopes suffered a setback in Seville on Saturday evening, with the reigning champions suffering a 2-1 defeat to Manuel Pellegrini's Real Betis outfit. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have reportedly joined the race for Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez, with Los Blancos preparing to battle a number of clubs for his signature during this summer's transfer window. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Goztepe SK will look to end their four-game winless league run when they welcome Samsunspor to the Gursel Aksel Stadium on Monday. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Wolves talisman Matheus Cunha left his side a man down and out of the FA Cup with a bizarre last minute red card. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United attacker Alejandro Garnacho during this summer's transfer window. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United reportedly view Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery as a potential replacement for Ruben Amorim, should the club decide to make another change in the dug-out at the end of the campaign. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Millwall supporters are set to be investigated by the Football Association for homophobic chants aimed at Ben Chilwell. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made 11 changes to his starting lineup for this evening's FA Cup fifth-round tie against Plymouth Argyle at the Etihad Stadium. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The reigning FA Cup holders take on a team who have never won the tournament in Sunday's fifth-round contest, as Manchester United welcome Fulham to their Old Trafford home. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio has apparently turned down Los Blancos' first offer of a new contract amid interest from 'several teams' in the burgeoning centre-back. 1 March 2025 talksport.com A new rule is set to be introduced next season to combat time-wasting from goalkeepers. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Following their cup success in midweek, Sporting Lisbon will aim to build on that momentum when they return to Primeira Liga action on Monday for round 24, welcoming Estoril Praia to Estadio Jose Alvalade. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will continue their La Liga campaign with a home fixture against Real Sociedad on Sunday afternoon. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich director of sport Max Eberl has warned Joshua Kimmich that no player is above the club as the Arsenal-linked midfielder reportedly hesitates over a new contract. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Despite an initially promising start in coaching, John Terry is now set to switch careers. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal are reportedly prepared to rival AC Milan for Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Rayan Ait-Nouri. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Jose Mourinho's four-match ban has been halved and his £35,000 fine reduced after a successful appeal. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly not ruled out the prospect of making an effort to sign Chelsea defender Levi Colwill this summer. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Konyaspor will be looking to inject some much-needed momentum into their survival fight in the Turkish Super Lig when they host Trabzonspor at Torku Arena on Monday. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides looking to bounce back from recent defeats in the Turkish Super Lig go head-to-head on Monday as Gaziantep host Eyupspor at the Gaziantep Stadium 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk AC Milan are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United midfielder Casemiro this summer. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Burnley players refused to shake the hand of Preston's Milutin Osmajic, who was accused of racism by Clarets star Hannibal Mejbri just two weeks ago. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Jean-Philippe Mateta was rushed to hospital after a shocking challenge from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts. 1 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT has you covered for all the latest news as the FA Cup takes centre stage this weekend. 1 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT has you covered for all the latest news as the FA Cup takes centre stage this weekend. 1 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT has you covered for all the latest news as the FA Cup takes centre stage this weekend. 1 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT has you covered for all the latest news as the FA Cup takes centre stage this weekend. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Brazilian star Neymar has revealed that he was offered an unlimited amount of money to play for Real Madrid, but turned it down.