Sheffield United v Crystal Palace Preview

Posted on | December 19, 2008 | No Comments

This is another huge game in the Championship with both of these sides sitting right beside each other in the table. Sheffield United have recently dropped out of the play off places and now occupy 7^th, while Palace are just one position below them in 8^th. To spice things up even more, Eagles boss Neil Warnock is returning to his hometown and to the club that he took to the Premier League just a few years ago.

Some Sheffield United fans are simply amazed that their board has just handed manager Kevin Blackwell a new three year contract, with the Blades in a very poor run of form that’s seen them pick up just eight points in their last seven games. While that sort of return would please some teams, it’s bitterly disappointing for a side who were tipped to challenge for the automatic places this season. Their chairman stated at the start of the campaign that should they not gain promotion, this season will be classed as a failure. With pressure now mounting on Blackwell, he needs to turn things around quickly to make sure that’s not the case and his club bounce back into the top six.

As for Palace, things are finally starting to come together for Neil Warnock. This is his first job since leaving Sheffield United back in 2007 and after masterminding a play off finish last season, many thought the London club would build on that. Up until recently that wasn’t the case though and Palace have been languishing in the bottom half for much of the season. However, recent weeks have sparked a turnaround and miraculously, Warnock now finds his side within touching distance of the play offs. The Eagles have collected an impressive sixteen points from their last six games and should they manage to overcome Sheffield United, they’ll leapfrog them and probably find themselves in the top six.

The home side are struggling on the injury front though with Gary Speed, Nick Montgomery and Sun Jihai all struggling with injuries. With Darius Henderson ruled out through suspension, it’s fair to say that Kevin Blackwell has some major headaches coming into this one. As for Palace, they’ll be without Paddy McCarthy who dislocated his shoulder in the previous game against Doncaster. Neil Warnock does have worries over Shefki Kuqi and James Scowcroft although it’s thought that at least one will be fit and available for selection.

You just know the main focus of this game will be Neil Warnock and this man has a tendency to wipe the smile of people’s faces! Sheffield United fans will probably give him a good reception after all he achieved with them, although we think he’ll be the one going home the happier after his side grind out a narrow win over a struggling Blades side – 2-1 Palace.

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1. Crystal Palace v Sheffield United Preview
2. Sheffield United v Crystal Palace Preview
3. Crystal Palace v Sheffield United Preview
4. Sheffield Wednesday v Crystal Palace Preview
5. Crystal Palace v Coventry Preview

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