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Aug 22, 2015 at 3pm UK at Bramall Lane

2-0

Sharp (60'), McNulty (72')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Preview: Sheffield United vs. Blackpool

Sports Mole previews the League One showdown between Sheffield United and Blackpool at Bramall Lane.

Sheffield United will be aiming to make it three wins on the spin in League One when they take on Blackpool at Bramall Lane.

The Blades recorded a 3-1 victory over Peterborough United during the week, while Blackpool lost 2-1 to Burton Albion in their midweek clash.


Sheff Utd

Reading manager Nigel Adkins looks on during the match against Ipswich on August 3, 2013© Getty Images

Nigel Adkins's men have bounced back following their opening-day 4-0 defeat at the hands of Gillingham by recording two wins on the bounce in League One.

A brace from Che Adams guided them past Chesterfield, while two goals from Conor Sammon and a strike from Jose Baxter secured a 3-1 away win over Peterborough at London Road.

Adkins will be delighted with how his side have responded to their drubbing in their season opener, as they have won two on the trot in the league and advanced to the second round of the League Cup following their win over Morecambe.

The Blades have been potent in the final third of the pitch as they seek to get back into the Championship following their defeat in the playoffs last season. The club have had a promising start to life under Adkins, but hard work lies ahead of them if they are to challenge for promotion.

United did lose winger Jamie Murphy to Brighton & Hove Albion earlier in the week, while Adams has been linked with a move away from the club as well. Adkins could face a tough task keeping his key players at Bramall Lane before the end of the transfer window.

The club's home form was the eighth-best in the division last season, and Adkins will have to improve their performances in front of their fans to guide them back into the second tier.

Recent form: LDDLWW
Recent form (all competitions): DDLWWW


Blackpool

West Ham United Assistant Manager Neil McDonald looks on prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford on December 21, 2013© Getty Images

Blackpool's downward spiral continued during the week as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Burton Albion when Abdenasser El Khayati fired Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's side to a comeback win.

The Tangerines have taken just one point from their opening three matches of the season, which came on the first day of the campaign in a 2-2 draw against Colchester United. The result gave the club hope as they held the lead twice, but they have been quickly brought down to earth.

Neil McDonald's side were dumped out of the League Cup by Northampton Town, while a defeat to Rochdale followed, leaving the Tangerines boss with an uphill task to reverse the fortunes of his team.

The club have failed to keep a clean sheet in their four matches this season, while they have lacked a threat in the final third, despite Mark Cullen's brace against Colchester on the opening day. With limited resources McDonald will have to work wonders with his squad to keep them in the division.

Blackpool face a major challenge to win on the road as their last victory away from Bloomfield Road came against Wigan Athletic in April 2014 at the DW Stadium. However, the team are in dire need of a spark and a win over the Blades could be the result they need to kickstart their campaign.

Recent form: WWDDLL
Recent form (all competitions): WDDLLL


Team News

Che Adams of Sheffield United celebrates scoring his second goal with team mates during the Capital One Cup Semi-Final Second Leg match between Sheffield United and Tottenham Hotspur at Bramall Lane on January 28, 2015© Getty Images

United duo Neill Collins and Stefan Scougall are doubtful for the clash against the Tangerines and are facing late fitness tests.

Collins has been struggling with a calf injury, while Scougall sustained an ankle problem in their win over Peterborough.

Jay McEveley could play at centre-back with Kieran Wallace dropping in at left-back, and Jamal Campbell-Ryce is in line to replace Scougall on the wing.

McDonald has no new injury worries ahead of the trip to Bramall Lane, but he did concede that he would make changes following his side's defeat to Burton.

Charles Dunne and Connor Oliver could come into the side after they made substitute appearances in the loss, while Jose Cubero may also feature against Adkins's men.

Sheff United possible starting lineup:
Howard; Freeman, McEveley, Edgar, Wallace; Campbell-Ryce, Basham, Baxter, Adams, Sammon, Sharp

Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Letheren; Boyce, Jones, Robertson, Ferguson; Cameron, Oliver, Potts, Dunne; Redshaw, Cullen


Head To Head

The Blades recorded a 3-0 win over Blackpool in their last meeting in the Championship in the 2009-10 season thanks to a brace from Richard Cresswell and a goal from Nick Montgomery.

Blackpool won the match earlier in that campaign at Bloomfield Road with a reverse of the scoreline as Marcel Seip, Jason Euell and Charlie Adam fired the Tangerines to victory.

Over the course of history, United have edged the contest by winning 31 of the 69 matches, while Blackpool have won 23 and 15 of the clashes have ended in draws.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Sheffied United 3-1 Blackpool

The Blades have been in excellent form since their defeat on the opening day, while Blackpool's tumultuous time shows no signs of ending in the near future. Expect United to come out on top in this fixture with a comfortable win at Bramall Lane.



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Reading manager Nigel Adkins looks on during the match against Ipswich on August 3, 2013
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Burnley24148249242550
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd25155543222150
3Blackburn RoversBlackburn25130122930-139
4Sunderland2510783728937
5Watford2410773024637
6Middlesbrough2510693832636
7Luton TownLuton249962925436
8Millwall2410682926336
9West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom259883326735
10Norwich CityNorwich2410593127435
11Queens Park RangersQPR25105102730-335
12Reading24112112834-635
13Coventry CityCoventry249782625134
14Preston North EndPreston259792326-334
15Birmingham CityBirmingham248882625132
16Swansea CitySwansea248883134-332
17Stoke CityStoke2486102832-430
18Bristol City2577113134-328
19Cardiff CityCardiff2577112028-828
20Rotherham UnitedRotherham2569102836-827
21Hull City2476112741-1427
22Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2474132330-725
23Blackpool2567122737-1025
24Wigan AthleticWigan2566132542-1724

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