The Blades and the U's drew 1-1 at Bramall Lane earlier this season with Harry Maguire and Freddie Sears on the score-sheet. That was on 17 August and since then United have slipped down the table, they have however had a change of management and under new rule Nigel Clough who Succeeded David Weir. They have however won only twice since that draw with the U's and currently lay 21st in the league after losing 2-0 at Shrewsbury Town last weekend.
It was an awful day for Sheffield United in Shropshire last Saturday, weather conditions were poor but United battled throughout. The hosts took the lead via a freak goal on 39 minutes; Joe Jacobsen's thunderous effort sailed into the top corner from distance. On 56th minute substitute Febian Brandy was dismissed for violent conduct after he pushed Connor Goldson in the face and as United searched for an equaliser - with ten minutes remaining the home side put the game beyond them. Hitting United on the counter-attack the move was finished off by Liam McAlinden; 0-2.
Febian Brandy's red card was his second of the season after he was dismissed at home to MK Dons on 31 August and will now serve a four match ban. He will miss the fixtures against; Colchester United (a - fac), Gillingham (h), former club Walsall (h) and Bristol City (a) and be available for selection for the away trip to Leyton Orient - assuming that this cup tie doesn't result in a replay.
New Blades boss Nigel Clough is likely to be without midfielder Callum McFadzean (ankle) through injury. However he could see striker Shaun Miller return to the starting line-up - following his recovery from Crucial Ligament damage he has appeared as a substitute in the clubs' last three outings.
He may also suffer a selection problem; on loan players; Conor Coady (Liverpool), Simon Lappin (Cardiff City) and Aidy White (Leeds United) may not be permitted by their club to play in this cup fixture.
Colchester United are currently fourteenth in the league after drawing 2-2 at Rotherham United last weekend. The U's had taken the lead as early on when former Miller Marcus Bean headed home but in quick succession when firstly Matt Tubbs fired home Ben Pringle's cross and Kieren Agard slashed home for the hosts second. They looked like returning to Essex without a point but somehow in the dying embers of the match Elliott Lee's header four minutes into stoppage time rescued a point for the visitors.
Manager Joe Dunne told BBC Radio Essex following the draw; 'We didn't play well. We couldn't deal with the long ball threat of Rotherham. I lost my rag at half-time. The first half was the worst we've played all season. We were beaten up, were second. We looked like an under-14s team playing against a real seasoned men's team. I got a response second half. They kept going and kept going and kept going. A young team, again we finished with teenagers on the pitch. Not playing well and getting a point here is a very good result. Sometimes these are as good as wins. We'll take the point, and we'll go home happy."
The U's are likely to suffer from a selection headache, they currently have eight players on loan and their parent club may not let either of them allowed to be cup-tied; Matthew Taylor (Bradford City), Elliott Lee (West Ham United), Cian Bolger (Bolton Wanderers), Sam Walker and Daniel Pappoe (both Chelsea), Jamie Sendles-White (Queens Park Rangers), Jeffrey Monakana (Preston North End) and Luke Garbutt (Everton) may not feature.
However he is without; David Wright, Gavin Massey, Freddie Sears (all hamstring), Jabo Ibehre (hip), Sanchez Watt (thigh), Josh Thompson (ankle) and Drey Wright (knee) through injury. Meanwhile Ryan Dickson, Tom Eastman and Tosin Olufemi each played 45 minutes in the Essex Senior Cup recently but neither is expected to be fit ahead of this weekend's cup clash with the Blades.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Colchester United 1 Sheffield United 2