Sheffield United vs Crystal Palace preview

Team news, stats and prediction ahead of Sheffield United vs Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

Image: Watch Sheffield United vs Crystal Palace on Super Sunday

Team news, stats and prediction ahead of Sheffield United vs Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

Team news

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder must decide whether to recall Billy Sharp to his starting line-up after the veteran striker stepped off the bench to clinch an opening-weekend point against Bournemouth.

Club record signing Oliver McBurnie is hoping to make his first start, while Luke Freeman could be involved from the off if Wilder reverts to his usual 3-4-1-2 formation after deploying John Lundstram in midfield at the Vitality Stadium.

Chris Wilder believes Sheffield United are favourites to be relegated from the Premier League but says he is determined to beat the drop

Crystal Palace will have defender Jeffrey Schlupp back from an ankle problem for the trip to Bramall Lane.

Defender Gary Cahill, midfielder James McCarthy and Victor Camarasa should all be involved again after the new signings featured for the U23s in midweek.

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Centre-back James Tomkins continues his recovery from a groin problem sustained at the end of last season, while Mamadou Sakho (knee) also remains unavailable

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson insists his squad will get stronger when important players return from injury and new signings are integrated

How to watch

Sheffield United vs Crystal Palace is live on Super Sunday from 1pm; kick-off is at 2pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.

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Opta stats

  • Sheffield United and Crystal Palace haven't faced in the Premier League since the 1992-93 campaign - Palace won both matches without conceding a goal.
  • In the top-flight, Sheffield United have lost five of their last six matches against Crystal Palace (W0 D1 L5), though all games were between 1990 and 1993.
  • London teams have won only three of their 18 Premier League visits to Bramall Lane, with Sheffield United winning the last five such games in a row. QPR in January 1993, Crystal Palace in March 1993 and Chelsea in October 2006 are the only London sides to have triumphed at the ground.
  • Only Manchester City (24) have scored more away Premier League goals in 2019 so far than Crystal Palace (20).
  • Crystal Palace have won just one of their last 10 Premier League games in August (D2 L7), beating promoted Fulham 2-0 on the opening weekend last season.
  • In his third Premier League appearance, Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp scored his first goal in the top-flight with his first shot against Bournemouth - the last Englishman to score with his first two shots in the Premier League was Marcus Rashford in February 2016.
  • Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha has scored six goals in his last seven away Premier League games. Indeed, of players to score more than five goals in the Premier League last season, Zaha scored the highest percentage of them away from home (90 per cent - 9/10).
Highlights from Bournemouth's 1-1 draw with Sheffield United in the Premier League

Charlie's prediction

Sheffield United will be really good to watch this year. Crystal Palace on their day can be too. Wilfried Zaha has to be in the mood here. He is the spark, but so too is Andros Townsend occasionally. I cannot believe Christian Benteke is still there, but he can be the guy that makes me swallow the pill and scores the winner in this one.

It is very unpredictable. It was a great point for Chris Wilder after his team hung in there at Bournemouth. But if Zaha is over his mood, he will be the match-winner.

CHARLIE PREDICTS: 1-2 (10/1 with Sky Bet)

Highlights from Crystal Palace's 0-0 draw with Everton in the Premier League

Fantasy Football tip

Callum Robinson (£6.8m) impressed against Bournemouth on the opening day, so much so that he received a Sky Sports Man of the Match award. He looked positive and threatening throughout, and the Blades are back at Bramall Lane, hoping it will be the fortress they need it to be this campaign. Play here.

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