Match Preview: Sheffield United v Bristol City (Part One)

sheffield united vs. bristol city

The Blades are just one point away from a top six spot behind Swansea City (whom host Newcastle United), but United haven't recorded a league win since late January when they beat Reading 3-0.They lost 2-1 at Preston North End last Tuesday with new signing Mark Yeates netting his first goal for the club.

A trip to Ashton Gate prior to Christmas has to date become one of the memorable fixtures of the 2009/10 season with the Blades coming away with a 3-2 victory which was snatched at the last few seconds of the game.

The Blades rolled into a two goal lead when Darius Henderson (30 & 33 minutes) on the half hour mark, with a win looking likely on the cards despite Louis Carey (53) netting what looked like a scant consolation until substitute Alvaro Saborio (90) grabbed a late leveller.

Darius Henderson turned into a cult hero when the visitors went straight up the field and after Kyel Reid saw his effort deflected the former Watford and Reading striker dispatched the ball into the net to score his first hat-trick for the club.

On loan defender Kyle Bartley (from Arsenal) is in line to make his home debut this weekend; he played in the 2-1 defeat at Deepdale in his Football League debut. His only previous experience in professional football was an appearance against Greek club Olympiakos last December in the UEFA Champions League.

However Blades boss Kevin Blackwell will be without a list of injuries; Mark Bunn (broken finger), Marcel Seip (hamstring), Chris Morgan (hip). Estonian international keeper Mihkel Aksalu is likely to make the substitutes bench with Ian Bennett favoured between the sticks.

Possible Blades Line-Up: Ian Bennett, Derek Geary, Nyron Nosworthy, Kyle Bartley, Toni Kallio, Jamie Ward, Nick Montgomery, Lee Williamson, Mark Yeates, Richard Cresswell, Darius Henderson.

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