Match Preview: Sheffield United v Swansea City

Last updated : 05 January 2007 By @blades_mad1889

blades v swans
The Blades travelled to Middlesbrough on the 1 January only to lose their first game of the year. Mark Viduka handed the home side the opening goal before Phil Jagielka equalised with a timely penalty, however Yakubu popped up with two goals in the second half to complete a 3-1 victory.

Sheffield United will line-up with third choice keeper Paul Gerrard between the sticks after Paddy Kenny (groin) and Ian Bennett (broken finger) have both been ruled out for two to three weeks.

Midfielders Mikele Leigertwood (ankle) and Chinese international Li Tie (leg haematoma) have also been ruled out by injury and will not compete in the FA Cup.

Neil Warnock is likely to name a different starting eleven compared to that which would usually start a Premiership match and could see the return of Nicky Law to the side.

However skipper Chris Morgan and star striker Rob Hulse will not feature, both picked up five bookings and will sit out with a suspension.

Possible Blades Line-Up: Paul Gerrard, Leigh Bromby, Chris Lucketti, David Sommeil, Derek Geary, Paul Ifill *, Nicky Law, Nick Montgomery, Colin Kazim-Richards, Geoff Horsefield, Danny Webber.

* Paul Ifill has been placed on the transfer list, if he is still with the club then he might play.

Swansea City faced Brentford where they recorded a 2-0 home win with goals from Adebayo Akinfenwa and an own goal from Karleigh Osbourne.

The club who formerly played at the Vetch Field will be without Shaun MacDonald who has been ruled throughout the Christmas period with a hernia problem.

Swans manager Kenny Jacket will also be without Owain Tudur Jones, Gary Monk (both knee) and Darren Way (shin).

The visitors will also be without star striker Lee Trundle who was sent off two games ago in the last minute of play at Huddersfield Town. As well as the Brentford and Sheffield United fixtures Trundle will also miss the trip to Bradford City next Saturday.

Possible Swans Line-Up: Willy Gueret, Marcos Painter, Alan Tate, Kevin Austin, Dennis Lawrence, Darren Pratrley, Leon Britton, Ian Craney, Andy Robinson, Adebayo Akinfenwa, Rory Fallon.

Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 2-0 Swansea City