Sheffield United face Bristol City at Bramall Lane on Saturday, kicking off the EFL Championship season for both clubs. Sheffield United finished third in the league last season and reached the play-off final, only to lose in heartbreaking fashion to Sunderland. Their pre-season has been productive, winning five of six games while scoring 19 goals, which should be a source of confidence as they look to start well at home.
Bristol City come into this match after a 6th place finish last season, losing to this weekend's very opponents in the play-off semi-final by an aggregate scoreline of 6-0. Pre-season has been decent for the Robins with three wins - Newport County (1-0), Real Valladolid (4-0) and Plymouth Argyle (2-0) - and one draw (0-0 against Cheltenham).
Sheffield United are under a new manager in the form of Ruben Selles and have done some interesting business this summer, notably bringing in Louie Barry on loan from Aston Villa. Crucially, though, the Blades have so far retained most of their best players, including Gus Hamer and Michael Cooper, so they're looking in a very strong position, even with the departure of Vinicius Souza.
Likewise, the Bristol Coty are under a new manager in Gerhard Struber, and they come into this season having brought in players like Emil Riis Jakobsen from Preston and Adam Randell from Plymouth. While the Robins will undoubtedly be a solid side this season, it's hard to imagine them hitting last season's heights again given the relative quality of the field.
Sheffield United hammered Bristol City twice in the playoffs at the back end of last season and have won five of the last six head-to-head meetings between the two clubs. The Blades look in very good shape heading into this season and with their opener taking place in front of their own fans at Bramall Lane, they should come out on top this weekend.
Sheffield United 2-0 Bristol City
