Sheffield United Vs Wrexham Preview

Sheffield United host Wrexham AFC in a Friday night Championship clash at Bramall Lane (8pm GMT, Sky Sports), with just two points separating the sides in a congested mid-table.

Chris Wilder’s Blades are 12th with 16 points from 12 games (4 wins, 4 draws, 4 losses). Phil Parkinson’s Red Dragons are 17th with 14 points (3 wins, 5 draws, 4 losses). A win would give either team a big boost: United could move into the top ten, while Wrexham could reach the top half. Both teams have shown moments of quality this season but have struggled to maintain consistency.

United have picked up seven points from their last four games but have struggled at home, winning just one of their last four at Bramall Lane. Their latest match was a 1-1 draw with Derby, where they created late chances but couldn’t score a winner.

Wrexham have only three wins from 12 league games and haven’t won in their last four away matches. They showed attacking promise in a 3-0 win at Millwall and a 4-1 home win over Preston, but lost 2-0 at Blackburn in their most recent game. Three of their six away games in the Championship have ended in draws, and five of their last seven away matches have had fewer than three goals.

Patrick Bamford is doubtful after a shoulder injury against Derby. Ryan Oné (hamstring) is out, and Mark McGuinness, Matt Doherty, and Jamie Shackleton are also doubts. Femi Seriki is back in the squad.

Wrexham are missing Josh Windass (ankle), Max Cleworth and Seb Revan (both hamstring), Nathan Broadhead (thigh), Liberato Cacace (calf), and George Thomason (muscle strain). Kieffer Moore, who used to play for United, is likely to start up front after scoring twice in his last three games.

United are expected to play in a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 formation, with Michael Cooper in goal. The defense should include Hamza Choudhury, Japhet Tanganga, Liam Kitching, and Harry Burrows. The attack is likely to feature Tom Cannon, André Ayew, Tahith Chong, and Ben Brereton Díaz.

Wrexham are expected to line up in a 3-4-1-2, with either Arthur Okonkwo or more likely Callum Patterson in goal. Their back three should be Dominic Hyam, Joe Worrall, and Callum Doyle, with Issa Kaboré and Anthony Ekomie as wing-backs. Matty James and Ben Whiteman are set to play in midfield, with Callum O’Hare just behind the strikers Sam Smith and Moore.

O’Hare’s return to Bramall Lane is the biggest talking point after his deadline-day transfer from United to Wrexham. Wilder has openly shown his frustration about the move. Moore facing his old club is another interesting angle. Recent games between these teams have been high-scoring, with 27 goals in the last five meetings.

Both teams have scored in each of those games, and Wrexham won both league matches last season, including a 2-1 victory at Bramall Lane.

Both teams need points to move up the crowded table, and with key players missing, this match should be close.