Sheffield United v Wolves Preview

Posted on | November 24, 2008 | No Comments

Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell heavily criticized his side following their 2-0 defeat to Reading a couple of weeks ago, yet they responded in ideal fashion with a comprehensive 5-2 away victory over Charlton. However, if United are serious about a promotion bid, they’ll have to prove that they can overcome the likes of Wolves who are in absolutely superb form at the moment.

Kevin Blackwell challenged his strikers to perform better in front of goal following their 2-0 defeat to Reading and they repaid him with interest a week later. The Blades ran riot at Charlton as they cruised to a 5-2 victory – which would ultimately end Alan Pardew’s reign at The Valley. Other than the blip against Reading, Blackwell’s men have been in great form recently having collected fourteen points from their last seven games. That statistic has meant that they now lie 4th in the table, just two points away from 3rd place Reading although six away from the promotion spots. James Beattie, the man who cost a staggering £4m last season, is finding form again and the former England international already has eight goals to his name this season. With five of them coming in his last four games, the Bramall Lane faithful will be hoping that he can continue to fire them up the table.

As for Wolves, it was more of the same from Mick McCarthy’s men on Saturday. The Molineux side comfortably beat Blackpool 2-0 to maintain their six point lead at the top, and also show their promotion rivals that they mean business this season. The game against Blackpool saw summer signing Chris Iwelumo bag two goals – taking his tally for the campaign to thirteen already. As it stands the former Colchester man is ranked second in the Championship scoring statistics, although perhaps an even more pleasing statistic for Mick McCarthy is that fellow striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is up there as is playmaker Michael Kightly. With Wolves having such talent at their disposal, don’t be surprised should they extend their fantastic record of six straight wins.

There’s not much team news to report for the home side with Kevin Blackwell faced with exactly the same predicament as Saturday. Ugo Ehiogu is still suspended, although now serves his final game, but other than that Blackwell has no fresh concerns. Wolves on the other hand have been given the good news that three key players will be fit and available to play. There were early doubts over Chris Iwelumo, Karl Henry and Richard Stearman although all have been passed fit to play. However, Michael Mancienne, the man who was selected for the full England squad last week, probably won’t feature due to illness.

These are two teams with strikers bang in form, so we should expect a high scoring game. However, the manner in which Sheffield United brushed Charlton aside suggests they’re up for the challenge this season and we can see them ending Wolves’ winning run – 2-1 Blades.

Related posts:

1. Wolves v Sheffield United Preview
2. Sheffield United v Burnley Preview
3. Sheffield United v Sheffield Wednesday Preview
4. Charlton v Sheffield United Preview
5. Manchester United vs Wolves betting preview

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