Sheffield United were formed on 22 March 1889 and on the same date will celebrate 125 years as a football club in what should be a magnificent event regardless of the score-line (though a win to mark the occasion would be nice).
The Blades have to-date kept twelve clean sheets in the league this season. But surprisingly didn't earn their first until they drew 0-0 at Peterborough United on 22 October. They earned their latest in another 0-0 draw, this time at Preston North End last Monday night which ended United's ten match winning streak but they still remain unbeaten in eleven matches.
United put in a defensive performance at Deepdale in front of the TV camera's which failed to spark the enthusiasm of the neutral supporter but most of all returned home with a point. The hosts almost broke the deadlock with half a minute of the kick-off after Mark Howard spilled Craig Davies' long range effort but managed to grab the ball at the second attempt before the on rushing Joe Garner could connect.
Preston looked the more lively of the two teams and on 20 minutes Garner was almost on target but his header flew wide of the goal, but at the other end a correct decision by the linesman prevented the Blades from taking the lead - the flag was waved has Conor Coady smashed the ball home but he was in an offside position.
Garner, Bailey Wright and ex-Blade Paul Gallagher were all denied opportunities to score with Howard in fine form, meanwhile a penalty (more than once) appeal was turned down when Wright's shot was judged to have hit the hand of captain Michael Doyle in the box with the referee waving any claims away.
United started the second half the brighter but it was the home side that almost scored first, Jack Brownhill controlled Davies' knockdown but his effort bounced off the upright. Garner looked to destined to score when he beat Howard but failed to hit the target and flew agonisingly wide. United failed to manage meaningful efforts with substitute Chris Porter coming closest with header going over the top of goal but 0-0 it stayed.
The Cutlers are expected to have a selection headache with both left full-backs Matt Hill (hamstring) and Bob Harris (thigh) but are boosted by the return of right wing-back John 'fear the beard' Brayford.
Blades boss Nigel Clough will likely field defenders Neill Collins and Matt Hill to face their former club. Scottish born Collins joined Wolves from Sunderland in a £150,000 transfer in January 2007 following a successful two months loan. He made his debut on Boxing Day (2006) in a 2-0 victory at Derby County. He netted against United two years later in a 1-1 draw as he played a vital part in Wolves promotion to the Premier League. In January 2010 he joined Preston North End following a loan spell. He left the Midlands club have made 87 (+10) appearances and scored 9 goals.
Hill signed for the 'Old Gold' in September 2008 from Preston, he made his debut in a 3-0 home win over Derby County and like Collins was part of the side which won promotion into the top flight. He was barely used in the Premiership and joined QPR on loan before, in October 2010 he signed for Barnsley on a free transfer. He made a total of 16 (+1) appearances without scoring.
Wolverhampton Wanderers look on course to returning to the Championship at the first time of asking under the leadership of former Swansea City and Millwall boss Kenny Jackett. The Molineux club proudly sit top of League One, although they are not sailing away with the league with only three points dividing them and third place Leyton Orient.
However, despite boasting a 19 clean sheet tally Wolves failed to take the opportunity of bridging a gap between them and second placed Brentford when they were beaten by two goals to one at Crawley Town last Tuesday night. Matt Tubbs scored the winner to hand the Black Country club their first taste of defeat in eleven matches. They were forced to absorb early pressure and Danny Batth was forced to black a goal bound effort from Josh Simpson, a 25 yard dipping shot from Tubbs was turned over by keeper Carl Ikeme has the visitors were given a stark warning.
But, on 25 minutes Wolves went ahead through James Henry's deflected 25 yard effort which flew into the roof of the net. Within a minute the hosts were level when former Blades striker Billy Clarke who drove the ball past Ikeme and wasn't long before Town had taken the lead - Tubbs found himself in space 15 yards from goal and his delicate chip gave Ikeme no chance; 2-1.
Following the return to action for Sam Ricketts (quad strain) against Crawley Wolves have no fresh injury concerns and are expected to name a fully fit side.
Wolves boss Kenny Jackett is likely to field trio Carl Ikeme, Danny Batth and Kevin McDonald to face their former club. Keeper Ikeme joined the Blades on a month’s loan (from Wolves) amidst a keeper crisis in November 2009 with Paddy Kenny on a season’s long ban and Ian Bennett injured. He played just twice for United, his debut - a dramatic 3-2 win at Bristol City were Darius Henderson scored a hat-trick and his second a 1-0 win at Plymouth Argyle, both away from Bramall Lane.
Defender Batth played just 5 minutes of professional football for the Blades after joining on a month’s loan from the Molineux club in November 2010, he appeared as a substitute during a 1-0 home win over Swansea City. Last season he spent a season’s long loan at rivals Sheffield Wednesday.
McDonald (Midfielder) was signed by Danny Wilson in August 2011 on a free transfer following his release from Burnley. He made his United debut at home to Brentford (won 2-0) and was an instrumental player in the two full seasons he played at the Lane. He scored on the opening day of the 2013/14 season at home to Nott's County before completing a full transfer to the Molineux club for an undisclosed fee in August 2013. He made a total of 89 (+2) appearances and scored 5 goals with the Blades.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0