Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

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

Top News

1 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has ruled out a future career in coaching as he admitted he is unsure whether he will play in the 2026 World Cup. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have reportedly knocked back several offers from interested clubs for teenage starlet Claudio Echeverri. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk French off the back of reaching the Taca da Liga semi-finals, Benfica return to action in the Primeira Liga when they visit the Estadio de Sao Luis to face SC Farense on Saturday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid are reportedly ready to part ways with Aurelien Tchouameni and could offer the midfielder as part of a deal to sign Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Gil Vicente will be looking to make it five straight games without defeat on home turf this season when they play host to Boavista in round 10 of the Primeira Liga on Saturday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are one of five European giants who have been alerted by Jamal Musiala's contract situation at Bayern Munich. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Vincent Kompany will be hoping that his Bayern Munich side can maintain their unbeaten record in the Bundesliga on Saturday when they host Union Berlin at the Allianz Arena. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Champions League hopefuls Eintracht Frankfurt are set to host VfL Bochum on Saturday at Deutsche Bank Park in the Bundesliga. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nuri Sahin's side are in desperate need of a win, but they face a difficult task on Saturday given they welcome RB Leipzig to Signal Iduna Park in their ninth Bundesliga match of the season. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In their ninth Bundesliga game of the season, relegation threatened Wolfsburg are set to host Augsburg on Saturday at Volkswagen Arena. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams who have turned a corner of late go head to head in round 11 of the 2024-25 Eredivisie season as Fortuna Sittard welcome Heerenveen to the Fortuna Sittard Stadion on Sunday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest will endeavour to win their third consecutive Premier League game when they welcome West Ham United to the City Ground on Saturday afternoon. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In one of two high-profile matches round 11 of the 2024-25 Eredivisie season has to offer, Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar will do battle at De Kuip on Saturday evening. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both gunning for promotion in their respective divisions, Walsall and Bolton Wanderers will turn their attentions to the FA Cup as they meet for a first-round tie at the Poundland Bescot Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have received a major injury boost regarding Manuel Akanji, according to a report. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk La Liga giants Barcelona are monitoring the situation of Rafael Leao at AC Milan, according to a report. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany believes that Bournemouth 'should not abandon their principles' in Saturday's clash with the Premier League champions at the Vitality Stadium. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Holstein Kiel and Heidenheim meet at Holstein-Stadion in Saturday's gameweek nine match in a battle between a host in their first Bundesliga season and an opponent in their second-ever top-flight year. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United interim head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy has said that the Red Devils "can and have to perform better", as he prepares the team for Sunday's Premier League clash with Chelsea. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ruud van Nistelrooy has said that he is expecting to remain at Manchester United as an assistant manager once the club have finalised a deal for Erik ten Hag's long-term replacement. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both aiming to make it back-to-back wins in pursuit of the top six in the Championship table, Sheffield Wednesday and Watford will meet at Hillsborough on Saturday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both aiming to bounce back to winning ways in their fights at opposite ends of the Championship table, Leeds United and Plymouth Argyle will square off at Elland Road on Saturday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Securing consecutive wins for the first time since September will be the major objective for Heracles as they entertain the challenge of NAC Breda at the Asito Stadium on Saturday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly started to consider other options in the transfer market at left-back, due to the predicted wage demands of Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leicester City manager Steve Cooper is expected to recall several of his first-team stars for Saturday's Premier League clash with Ipswich Town at Portman Road. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ipswich Town could be without as many as 10 players for Saturday's Premier League clash with Leicester City at Portman Road. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Separated by just three points in the top six of the Championship table, Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United will meet in an important contest at Ewood Park on Saturday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Last season's top two in the Championship lock horns at Portman Road for a Premier League clash on Saturday afternoon when Ipswich Town play host to Leicester City. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In their first MLS playoff contest at Citi Field since 2022, New York City FC host FC Cincinnati needing a win on Saturday to stay alive in the quest for the cup. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The Premier League have released the shortlist for October's Player of the Month award, with players from clubs up and down the table and all over the pitch included.