Sheffield United vs Preston North End – Preview

Sheffield United vs Preston North End – Preview

Sheffield United end their home campaign on Saturday afternoon when they host Paul Heckingbottom’s Preston North End.

The Blades will be feeling extremely disappointed heading into this game after suffering a shocking 3-1 loss to Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday evening where they looked extremely lethargic and loose in possession. United have struggled with inconsistency all season and the midweek defeat further highlights this point.

Preston North End travel to South Yorkshire off the back of two defeats, most recently a 2-1 loss away at Birmingham City. After flirting with the idea of a play-off pushing season, the Lancashire outfit have firmly dropped off in the back end of the season, and they now sit 13 points off the top six.

Team News

United are hoping to get Kalvin Phillips back in some capacity before the end of the season, but nothing will be rushed. Femi Seriki dropped to the bench in midweek, he could come back into the starting eleven.

Former Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom could be without Jamal Lewis and Ali McCann for the trip to Bramall Lane.

Sheffield United’s Impact Player For This Game

One player who could be crucial for the Blades in this fixture is Gustavo Hamer. The Dutchman is often the driving force behind Sheffield United’s attacking play and will likely be key to how they attempt to break down Preston’s compact defensive setup.

Hamer thrives when he is able to operate in the left-hand side half-space and dictate the tempo. His ability to carry the ball forward with power and commit defenders is huge, particularly against a side that prefers to sit deep and remain organised. If he can draw players out of position, it will create space for Sheffield United’s forwards to exploit, and possibly set up overlapping scenarios for Harrison Burrows.

His passing range is another key weapon. Whether it’s threading balls through tight spaces or switching play to wide areas, Hamer has the vision and technique to unlock defences. He is also a threat from distance and from set pieces, which could be especially important in a game where clear-cut chances may be limited.

Preston North End’s Impact Player For This Game

For Preston, a player who could have a major impact on this contest is Lewis Dobbin. With already eight goals and eight assists to his name, the Aston Villa man has proven his potential on his loan spell with the Lancashire side.

The young forward offers pace and directness, which could be crucial to Preston’s approach, particularly in transition. Dobbin is at his most dangerous when he has space to run into. His acceleration and willingness to drive at defenders make him a real threat on the counter-attack, especially against a Sheffield United side that may commit bodies forward. If Preston can win the ball back and release him quickly, he has the ability to carry them up the pitch and turn defence into attack in an instant.

He is also comfortable operating in wide areas, where he can isolate full-backs and look to take them on, he averages over 1.1 successful dribblers per game which is high for Championship forwards. That direct style can stretch defences and create openings, either for himself or for teammates arriving in the box.

Another key aspect of his game is his energy and work rate. Dobbin presses well from the front and is always looking to close down defenders, averaging 3.5 ball recoveries per game, which fits perfectly with Preston’s setup off the ball.

My Prediction

Contrasting styles is likely to make for an intriguing contest. Sheffield United are expected to see more of the ball and will look to break Preston down with their combinations, while Preston will aim to stay compact and frustrate their opponents before hitting them on the break.

The key challenge for Sheffield United will be patience. Breaking down a well-organised defensive side like Preston is never easy, and they will need to move the ball quickly and intelligently to create openings, which is something they completely failed to do against Blackburn Rovers in midweek.

It’s been a terrible season for the Blades in truth, and I think Sheffield United will only manage a 1-1 draw in this one.

Stats taken from Fotmob and Opta.