Now condemned to Championship football for the 2024-25 season, Sheffield United can at least do their bit to try to bring Nottingham Forest down with them on Saturday afternoon.
A 5-1 crushing at the hands of Newcastle United confirmed the Blades’ relegation from the Premier League, while Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side are dangling above danger after their 2-0 loss to Manchester City.
Match preview
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Requiring a shock St James’ Park success over European outsiders Newcastle to stand any chance of a great escape, Sheffield United stunned the Magpies faithful through Anel Ahmedhodzic‘s fifth-minute header last weekend and had Eddie Howe‘s men on the ropes in the early exchanges.
Blades fans may have been left wondering where that fighting spirit had been all season, but Chris Wilder‘s men wasted a couple of golden openings to extend their advantage, and they were made to pay the ultimate price after prodding the black and white bear.
Alexander Isak (two), Callum Wilson, Bruno Guimaraes and a Ben Osborn own goal completed an emphatic Newcastle turnaround and ensured that the Blades would be making a swift return to the second tier, marking their ninth relegation from the top flight of English football – the same number as bitter foes Sheffield Wednesday.
Wilder’s troops have not been consigned to a 20th-placed finish just yet, but they are eight points behind Burnley and nine worse off than Luton Town with just nine left to play for, so anything other than an inconsequential maximum this weekend and Sheffield United will remain rock bottom of the pile.
Avoiding an unwanted slice of Premier League history will be the ultimate goal for Sheffield United, though, as with 97 goals shipped this season, they are just four shy of breaking the all-time record in the competition, set by the Swindon Town side of 1993-94 who let in 100 in 42 matches.
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Each of Sheffield United’s last three Premier League contests has seen Wilder’s men concede at least four times, and Saturday’s visitors Nottingham Forest must therefore do their utmost to expose the Blades’ frailties if they are to keep their heads above top-flight waters.
However, Santo’s side left their best shooting boots in the City Ground dressing room during last Sunday’s visit of Man City, where Chris Wood in particular was guilty of profligacy in front of goal, as the holders prevailed thanks to Josko Gvardiol‘s header and an Erling Haaland finish.
A third defeat in four Premier League matches for the Tricky Trees leaves them just one point better off than Luton Town in 17th spot, and while they also have a superior goal difference to fall back on, they will be plunged into the drop zone if the Hatters overcome Everton on Friday evening.
Amid Sheffield United’s well-documented defensive failings, Nottingham Forest have also shipped multiple goals in each of their last four contests and are still waiting for their first top-flight success on the road in 2024, having not triumphed on their Premier League travels since besting Newcastle on Boxing Day.
The Garibaldi also have just the one win to show from their last 19 Premier League games against promoted sides, although that came in the reverse fixture at the City Ground in August, where Wood was the 89th-minute hero in a 2-1 victory over their demoted opponents.
Sheffield United Premier League form:
L
D
L
L
L
L
Nottingham Forest Premier League form:
D
W
L
D
L
L
Team News
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The Sheffield United medical team are working overtime on a double-figure list of absentees, and only Rhian Brewster – on the cusp of a return from a thigh injury – might be given the green light to make the Blades’ squad this weekend.
However, James McAtee (groin), Oli McBurnie (thigh), Rhys Norrington-Davies (thigh), Max Lowe (ankle), Chris Basham (ankle), John Egan (ankle), Daniel Jebbison (illness), George Baldock (calf) and Tom Davies (thigh) are sidelined, leaving Wilder with limited options for change.
The Blades boss may be tempted to throw some of his younger players into the deep end regardless with relegation confirmed, and owing to Wes Foderingham conceding nine goals in two fixtures, Ivo Grbic might return in between the posts.
As for Nottingham Forest, Santo was dealt a triple defensive blow in the loss to Man City, where Neco Williams and Murillo both sustained injuries either side of the half-time whistle, while Willy Boly was also the victim of a late knock.
Santo is keeping his fingers crossed that all three have avoided serious problems, but there have been no official updates on their respective conditions, while Taiwo Awoniyi and Nicolas Dominguez are still touch-and-go at the time of writing.
Andrew Omobamidele and Gonzalo Montiel are waiting in the wings should defensive alterations be required, and after opting for a safe 5-4-1 approach against Man City, Santo ought to sacrifice a rearguard member in favour of a more offensive lineup at Bramall Lane.
Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Grbic; Robinson, Trusty, Ahmedhodzic; Bogle, Souza, Hamer, Arblaster, Osborn; Brereton Diaz, Archer
Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Sels; Montiel, Niakhate, Omobamidele, Aina; Danilo, Yates; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
We say: Sheffield United 1-3 Nottingham Forest
Knowing that nothing they do from hereon in will affect their relegated status, Sheffield United should be released from their shackles and play with a bit more freedom against a leaky Nottingham Forest side dealing with some untimely defensive concerns.
Santo’s men may have cut wasteful figures against the champions, but they possess the attacking knowhow to successfully fight fire with fire this weekend and should glean the three points required to remain in control of their survival destiny, potentially taking Sheffield United’s goals conceded column into the three figures too.
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