The Blades were put up an eager Blackburn Rovers last season, both teams battled hard and both sides went away disappointed after seeing their spot kicks saved by their opposite keeper. Lucas Neill saw his penalty attempt saved by Kenny before David Unsworth and Rob Hulse were foiled by Brad Friedel.
United should see Chritian Nadé start upfront along side Rob Hulse, regular striker Danny Webber is out with a hamstring injury and is expected to be missing for two weeks.
The Blades are expected to see little change from the side that drew with Rovers last Saturday but could see Leigh Bromby, Claude Davis and Craig Short return to the fold. All returned from injury and played in the reserves mid-week 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough.
Should former Wednesday defender Bromby make an appearance then it will be his 200th Football League outing whilst Davis will be handed his debut after signing from Preston North End in the summer.
Meanwhile Neil Warnock will leave it late on the fitness on Michael Tonge who was substituted late on against Blackburn due to a twisted ankle.
Blades defender David Sommiel said; "I think we can stay in the Premiership but we need to win on Saturday to really start the season. We need to put the ball in the back of the net and it is difficult to score goals in the Premiership but we have created many, many chances. But when you play in this league at home you need to win."
Possible Blades Line-Up: Paddy Kenny, David Sommeil, Chris Morgan, Phil Jagielka, David Unsworth, Paul Ifill, Mikele Leigertwood, Alan Quinn, Chris Armstrong, Rob Hulse, Christian Nadé.
The Royals - formerly known as the biscuit men beat Manchester City last Monday at the Madejski Stadium; Ivar Ingimarsson's first half header was enough to win the game 1-0.
The match winner could miss the clash with the Blades who remain unbeaten against United in six games in all competitions. The former Brentford defender suffered a clash of heads and mild concussion but is expected to play.
However the Blues will be without striker Dave Kitson (knee) and defenders Sam Sodje (also knee) and Aaron Brown (broken leg), leaving manager Steve Coppell with changes to his side. Brown is expected to be sidelined for three months.
"He's recovering slowly, not as well as we would have hoped. He's got no chance for Saturday." said Steve Coppell about Kitson's injury.
Possible Royals Line-Up: Marcus Hehemann, Ivar Ingimarsson, Graeme Murty, Ibrahima Sonko, Nicky Shorey, Steven Sidwell, Bobby Convey, James Harper, Kevin Doyle, Leroy Lita, Ki-Hyeon Seol.
Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands) - Official Marriner started football life during the the 2002-03 season in non-league, particularly in the Nationwide Conference.
- 18 Dec 2004 - Sheffield United 2-1 Cardiff City
- 01 Apr 2006 - Stoke City 1-1 Sheffield United
Blades-Mad Match Prediction: Sheffield United 1-0 Reading