Middlesbrough v Sheffield United preview: Championship clash live on Sky Sports Football
Friday 11 August 2017 16:29, UK
Midfielder Marten de Roon will not figure in Middlesbrough's Sky Bet Championship clash with Sheffield United after he sealed a move back to former club Atalanta.
The Italians were given permission to speak to the 26-year-old after the clubs agreed a fee for the man who cost Boro £12million last summer. Adam Forshaw could get the nod to replace De Roon, while striker Patrick Bamford staked his claim with an impressive display as a substitute after replacing summer signing Ashley Fletcher in last Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Wolves.
Live EFL
Fletcher was one of six debutants for the Teessiders at Molineux along with Darren Randolph, Cyrus Christie, Jonny Howson, Martin Braithwaite and Britt Assombalonga.
Sheffield United striker James Hanson is expected to miss out due to a hamstring injury sustained in midweek. Boss Chris Wilder named a completely different starting XI for Wednesday night's Carabao Cup win against Walsall and is likely to switch things round again.
Summer signing John Lundstram, Nathan Thomas, Jake Bennett and goalkeeper Simon Eastwood all made their first starts for the club, but could make way. Ched Evans is pushing for his first start since returning to Bramall Lane in the summer, while fellow striker Billy Sharp is among those likely to be recalled.
Opta stats
Boro have lost just two of their last 16 league games against Sheffield United (W10 D4), with the North-East club on a current unbeaten run of three games (W2 D1).
The Blades have failed to score in each of their last two visits to the Riverside, however they've only conceded once in return.
Middlesbrough haven't conceded more than once in any of their last 44 home second tier matches, keeping 27 clean sheets in that time. The last side to score more than once there were Sheffield United's rivals, Sheffield Wednesday, who won 3-2 in August 2014.
Since the start of last season, Billy Sharp has scored more goals than any other player in the top four tiers of English football (31).
Sheffield United have won eight consecutive league matches for the first time since September 2005 under Neil Warnock.
Middlesbrough have lost their last four league games, while they last suffered five consecutive defeats in February 2013.
Prutton's prediction
It was a wonderful opening day for Sheffield United, but not so good for Middlesbrough. Garry Monk's side have been hotly-tipped for promotion because of the money that's been spent, and they might need a win here already. The omens aren't all bad, though, as Newcastle lost their first two last season and still went on to win the title.
This could be a tough one for the Blades, but they've still got plenty of momentum and that should stand them in good stead.
Prutton predicts: 1-1 with Billy Sharp to score first (30/1 with Sky Bet)
Don't miss the Sky Bet Championship clash between Middlesbrough and Sheffield United on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Football from 5.15pm
