Brighton vs Sheffield Utd preview, predictions & possible XIs
Sheffield United will be looking to continue their fine start to the Premier League season this weekend when they take on Brighton & Hove Albion.
Chris Wilder’s men currently sit seventh in the table but are just four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea and could close that gap, with the Blues facing Tottenham Hotspur.
Brighton haven’t done too badly either, but their performances under Graham Potter have sometimes failed to translate into points, leaving the Seagulls in 13th position so far.
The aim for both sides will be to enter Christmas on the back of a positive result with fixtures coming thick and fast.
Read on for our preview, predictions, team news and TV coverage information.
When is Brighton vs Sheffield Utd and where can I watch live?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Amex Stadium
Date: Saturday, 21 December 2019
Kick-off: 3:00 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): N/A
Last five meetings: Brighton vs Sheffield Utd
21 January 2006: Sheffield Utd 3-1 Brighton (Championship)
13 September 2005: Brighton 0-1 Sheffield Utd (Championship)
15 January 2005: Sheffield Utd 1-2 Brighton (Championship)
02 October 2004: Brighton 1-1 Sheffield Utd (Championship)
18 March 2004: Sheffield Utd 2-1 Brighton (Division 1)
Aggregate Score: Brighton (LLWDL) 5-8 Sheffield Utd (WWLDW)
Ones to watch
Brighton: Neal Maupay
Sheffield United have the third-best defensive record in the Premier League this season, conceding just 16 goals so far. If Brighton are to breach the backline Neal Maupay will need to be on form.
The Frenchman is Brighton’s top scorer in the league with seven goals and is the only Seagulls player to have managed more than two.
He got his seventh in the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Monday, extending his run of scoring to three consecutive games, having also found the net against Arsenal and Wolves. A constant threat, Sheffield United’s back three will have to key a close eye on Maupay.
Key stat: Neal Maupay has scored a third of Brighton’s Premier League goals this season.
Sheffield Utd: John Lundstram
John Fleck will be a big miss for the Blades through suspension and they’ll need someone to cover for him in terms of adding to the attack.
That man could be John Lundstram, who matches Fleck on goal contributions in the Premier League, while he also set up the Scot against Aston Villa at the weekend.
Only George Baldock and Lys Mousset have recorded more assists than Lundstram in the Premier League, while just Fleck and Mousset have scored more. Lundstram isn’t as creative as Fleck, but he is certainly capable of filling the Scot’s creative void.
Key stat: John Lundstram has been directly involved in five Premier League goals this season, scoring three and recording two assists.
Team news
Brighton
Dale Stephens is once again available for selection after missing the draw with Crystal Palace through suspension and should slot straight back into the starting XI. He could be joined by Aaron Connolly, who has missed the past two matches through injury, though the Irishman is still a doubt.
Brighton are definitely without Solly March and Jose Izquierdo.
Predicted XI: Ryan; Montoya, Webster, Dunk, Burn; Gross, Bissouma, Stephens, Propper, Mooy; Maupay.
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Sheffield Utd
The Blades will have to make do without John Fleck this weekend as he picked up a fifth yellow card against Aston Villa to go with his two goals.
Muhamed Besic is one of the players in line to replace him but the Everton loanee will face competition from Luke Freeman. Otherwise, Sheffield Utd have no injury problems and will be able to name their strongest XI.
Predicted XI: Henderson; O’Connell, Basham, Egan; Baldock, Freeman, Lundstram, Norwood, Stevens; McGoldrick, Mousset.
Squawka prediction
As previously mentioned, Sheffield United have been in good form this season and are currently unbeaten in their eight Premier League games away from home.
However, six of those games have ended in a draw, and with Brighton also causing problems for opposing sides, a stalemate seems the most likely result.
Scoreline prediction: Brighton 1-1 Sheffield United
