Sheff Utd vs Newcastle preview, predictions and confirmed line-ups as Andy Carroll makes first start
Sheffield United welcome Newcastle United on Thursday evening for a first Premier League meeting in over a decade.
The Blades will be looking to extend a three-match unbeaten streak at home that includes taking a combined four points of Arsenal and Manchester United.
Steve Bruce’s men, by contrast, have endured a tough run on the road of late and go into this week’s showdown having lost four of their last five matches away from St. James’ Park.
Read on for our Sheffield Utd v Newcastle preview, predictions, team news and TV coverage information.
When is Sheffield Utd vs Newcastle and where can I watch live?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Bramall Lane
Date: Thursday, 5 December 2019
Kick-off: 7:30 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): Amazon Prime Video
Last five meetings: Sheffield Utd vs Newcastle
05 April 2010: Newcastle 2-1 Sheffield Utd (Championship)
02 November 2009: Sheffield Utd 0-1 Newcastle (Championship)
07 April 2007: Sheffield Utd 1-2 Newcastle (Premier League)
04 November 2006: Newcastle 0-1 Sheffield Utd (Premier League)
08 January 2000: Newcastle 4-1 Sheffield Utd (FA Cup)
Aggregate Score: Sheff Utd (LLLWL) 4-9 Newcastle (WWWLW)
Ones to watch
Sheffield Utd: Lys Mousset
It never really worked out for Lys Mousset at Bournemouth and after tentatively starting life in Yorkshire he’s now one of the first names on Chris Wilder’s team sheet.
He’s repaid that faith with goals and will no doubt be who Newcastle are determined to keep quiet.
Key stat: Mousset has been involved in five goals across Sheffield Utd’s last three home games, scoring twice and recording three assists.
Newcastle: Allan Saint-Maximin
Following his arrival from Nice in the summer Allan Saint-Maximin has found his feet at Newcastle. Although he’s yet to register a goal, being unlucky in recent weeks, the French speedster will be a thorn in Sheffield Utd’s side through his seamless ability to glide past defenders.
Key stat: Only Wilfried Zaha (64) and Adama Traoré (48) have completed more take-ons in the Premier League this season than Saint-Maximin (43).
Team news
Sheffield Utd
Oli McBurnie and Billy Sharp come in for Lys Mousset and David McGoldrick who are on the bench.
Sharp’s inclusion will see the striker start a Premier League fixture for the first time this season.#SUFC 🔴
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) December 5, 2019
Chris Wilder has a fully-fit squad available to him and is expected to make no changes from the side that faced Wolves though a couple of names – Luke Freeman, Muhamed Besic, Ben Osborn and Ravel Morrison – are knocking on the door.
Confirmed XI: Henderson; O’Connell, Basham, Egan; Baldock, Fleck, Lundstram, Norwood, Stevens; McBurnie, Sharp.
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Newcastle
Matt Ritchie and Jamaal Lascelles will be unavailable to Bruce this week. DeAndre Yedlin meanwhile is a doubts. Allan Saint-Maximin is fine after feeling “sore” following their 2-2 draw with Manchester City.
🚨 TEAM-NEWS
This is how we line up at Bramall Lane this evening! ⚫️⚪️#NUFC | #SHUNEW pic.twitter.com/SFBihoPArA
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) December 5, 2019
Confirmed XI: Dubravka; Manquillo, Dummett, Fernández, Clark, Willems; Almirón, Hayden, Shelvey, Saint-Maximin; Carroll.
Squawka prediction
Sheffield United have emerged as this season’s breath of fresh air in the Premier League and head into matchday 15 sitting seven places above a Newcastle side that have struggled on the road. It should be an entertaining game but we are backing the hosts to keep all three points.
Scoreline prediction: Sheffield Utd 2-0 Newcastle
