The Blades played out a ‘pitiful’ display at Barnsley last weekend which resulted in a 0-1 defeat, Hugo Colace providing the finishing touch before half-time to send the lacklustre Blades home.
United were paralyzed in attack with only Ched Evans as there 100% fit striker available, there was however Jamie Ward who was returning from injury and academy starlet Jordan Slew in reserve.
They are however without a number of key players; Captain Chris Morgan (knee) has been sidelined for the remainder of the season through injury, whilst; Ryan France (back), Darius Henderson (hamstring) and Lee Williamson (back) are also unavailable.
Keeper Richard Wright made his debut at Oakwell last Saturday but was short lived when early in the second half he was forced to leave the game through injury (thigh) and was replaced by regular stopper Steve Simonsen.
They also face a striker crisis with both Daniel Bogdanovic and Richard Cresswell serving suspensions; Bogdanovic will miss his third game of a three match ban and will be made available from suspension on Boxing Day against Hull City.
Cresswell sits out the second of a three match suspension having been sent off at Bristol City two games ago; he also misses the fixture with Hull City.
Expected Eleven: Simonsen, Calvé, Bartley, Nosworthy, Taylor, Yeates, Ertl, Britton, Montgomery, Reid, Evans.
Under the leadership of former Watford and Reading boss Brendan Rodgers the Liberty Stadium have transpired from an average Championship side into a team gunning for promotion; they currently third in the table.
It was a terrible weekend (last) for those in the top six; only Leeds United registered a win with Swansea City being held to a 1-1 home draw with Millwall on Friday night.
The Welsh outfit had taken the lead when Angel Rangel (18 minutes) headed home, a win would have seen them take second spot off rivals Cardiff City and go within a touching distance of leaders Queens Park Rangers but after a mix-up in the box Tamika Mkandawire (26) was allowed to fire home for the leveller.
The visitors could be without striker Jermaine Easter (thigh), currently on loan from the Milton Keynes Dons he has yet to make his City debut since joining. They are also without Tom Bulter (thigh) who is aiming to be fit in February 2011.
Expected Eleven: de Vries, Tate, Williams, Monk, Rangel, Gower, Sinclair, Orlandi, Dyer, Allen, Beattie.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Blades 0-0 Swansea City