Sheffield United travel to Wolves in the Premier League this weekend. They will be hoping to pick up some points as they desperately try to navigate themselves out of the relegation zone.
Date: 25/02/24
Kick-off time: 13:30
Venue: Molineux
Wolves and Sheffield United have endured very contrasting seasons, with both fighting for different goals. Sheffield United remain rooted to the bottom of the table, where they have been for the majority of this season, whilst Wolves sit in 11th, but are well in reach of the top seven.
Gary O’Neil’s side had started the season slow, but have enjoyed huge wins over the likes of Chelsea, Man City and Tottenham, who they defeated last weekend. This has allowed them to keep the prospect of European football firmly in their sights. They are level on points with Chelsea, who are in 10th, and are just two behind Newcastle in seventh. This fixture against Sheffield United could provide an excellent opportunity to keep pace with, or even overtake the sides above them.
The Blades, in contrast, are facing the likely outcome of life back in the Championship next season. They beat fellow strugglers Luton last week, but are still seven points off safety. They could not build on this result as they were thrashed 5-0 at home to Brighton last weekend. This means they have conceded five in each of the last three home games.
United’s 65 goals conceded is the most let in at this stage of the season in Premier League history. Against the league’s worst defence, Wolves should have plenty of success in this game. They have been boosted by the recent return of top scorer Hwang Hee-Chan, but have lost Matheus Cunha through injury. However, the hosts have kept only two clean sheets in the last 10 games, meaning the Blades could pose a threat. They have scored at least two goals in six of their last seven games.
These two sides have met just five times in the Premier League, and there has been nothing to split them. They have two wins apiece, with the other ending in a draw, which was their first meeting. The reverse fixture this season ended in dramatic fashion, with Sheffield United coming out on top 2-1 at Bramall Lane. The game was goalless for the majority, before Cameron Archer struck in the 72nd minute to give the hosts the lead. Wolves thought they had stolen a point in the 89th minute as Jean-Ricner Bellegarde equalised. However, the game was not over, and the Blades were awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time. With an opportunity to win all three points, Oliver Norwood stepped up to take the spot kick in the 10th minute of stoppage time. Nerves were not an issue as he dispatched the penalty to secure victory. This was one of just three wins this season.
