Sheffield United get their 2025-26 Championship campaign underway against Bristol City at Bramall Lane on Saturday 9th August at 5:30pm. These two sides met in the play-off semi-finals last season, with the Blades reaching the final before heartbreak. This game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Football.
Sheffield United to win and BTTS (53/20 with 10bet)
Bristol City will be raring to get one over Sheffield United as they were soundly beaten by the Blades in both legs of the playoffs last season, but United are something of a bogey team for the Robins, having not lost any of the last nine meetings between the two sides. More than 50% of Bristol City’s matches last season saw both teams hit the net and we’re expecting them to get on the scoresheet here as they’ve strengthened their frontline with the arrival of Emil Riis from Preston, but Ruben Selles’ men should still win out with their stronger starting eleven and home advantage.
Gustavo Hamer to score or assist (21/20 with bet365)
Gustavo Hamer was one of the stars of the Championship last season and was directly involved in 18 goals over the course of the campaign, scoring 10 (including one in the playoff win over Bristol City) and providing eight assists. If the Blades are to compete at the top end of the Championship again this season they’ll need another big campaign from their Dutch maestro and we’re backing him to start the season with a bang by opening either his goals or assists account here.
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How both teams go into Sheffield United vs Bristol City
Sheffield United suffered the biggest footballing heartbreak last season. The Blades were beaten 2-1 by Sunderland in the Championship play-off final, having led at Wembley. They had secured their spot in the play-offs by a third-placed finish, sitting 14 points clear of Sunderland — with a two-point deduction. But they’ll have to put that behind them if they are to secure their dream of a return to the Premier League.
They can take heart from recent history, though. Sheffield United haven’t sent more than two seasons in the Championship since their promotion from League One in 2017. They’ve always been promoted in their second campaign. But it’s now Ruben Selles at the helm, with Chris Wilder leaving in the summer.
As mentioned, Bristol City also suffered heartbreak in the play-offs last season. But theirs came against Sheffield United in the semi-finals. The Robins had won the close battle for the final play-off spot, finishing two points clear of Blackburn Rovers and Millwall. That was despite failing to win any of their final three games.
So Bristol City begin their 11th season in the Championship looking to finally make the jump to the Premier League. They’ll have to do it with a new manager too, after Liam Manning left for Norwich City. Gerhard Struber is now at the helm.
Sheffield United team news
Anel Ahmedhodzic, Rhian Brewster and Kieffer Moore have all left Bramall Lane this summer, although Ruben Selles has brought in the likes of Louie Barry and Djibril Soumare.
Oliver Arblaster, Tom Davies and Jamie Shackleton all miss out through injury for the South Yorkshire side.
Bristol City team news
Bristol City haven’t seen too much change to their squad over the summer, although long-term servant Nahki Wells did leave the club over the summer, having been replaced by Emil Riis, formerly of Preston North End.
Luke McNally misses out with a long-term injury sustained last season while Joe Williams and Max Bird are also not expected to feature.
Sheffield United vs Bristol City head-to-head
Sheffield United are unbeaten in their past nine games against Bristol City across all competitions. They’ve won seven of those, three of the four meetings last season.
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 12/05/25 | Sheffield United 3-0 Bristol City | Championship |
| 08/05/25 | Bristol City 0-3 Sheffield United | Championship |
| 11/03/25 | Sheffield United 1-1 Bristol City | Championship |
| 05/11/24 | Bristol City 1-2 Sheffield United | Championship |
| 18/04/23 | Sheffield United 1-0 Bristol City | Championship |