Preview: Sheffield United vs. Reading – prediction, team news, lineups

The top two sides in the Championship table at this early stage of the season will do battle on Tuesday, as Sheffield United welcome Reading two Bramall Lane.

The visitors currently sit at the summit of the division after three straight wins, while the Blades are just a point worse off having most recently drawn away at Luton Town.

Match preview

Sheffield United head into Tuesday’s contest on the back of a pleasing start to the Championship campaign in their bid to win promotion, having gone unbeaten since an opening-day 1-0 defeat away at Watford.

Paul Heckingbottom‘s side firstly beat Millwall 2-0 at Bramall Lane and drew 2-2 away at Middlesbrough, before scoring consecutive home wins over Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers, with Iliman Ndiaye hitting a brace off the bench in the aftermath Oliver Norwood had opened the scoring with a free kick.

Hoping to build on their strong start with 10 points from five outings, the Blades made the tough trip to Kenilworth Road to take on Luton Town on Friday, and they did not get off to a good start as Carlton Morris put their hosts ahead within 10 minutes.

The South Yorkshire outfit were able to draw level through Oli McBurnie in the 53rd minute and saw the contest finish level to take their unbeaten run to five league games, with only Tuesday’s visitors topping their tally of 11 points thus far.

On their return to Bramall Lane, Heckingbottom will certainly be encouraged by the Blades’ home form, having won all three of their league games on home turf so far and 13 of their last 18 in the second tier dating back to last November, and they will hope to add to that fine record and move back to the summit of the division with another triumph on Tuesday.

© Reuters

That is no easy task, though, as Reading make the trip looking to make it four league wins on the bounce under Paul Ince.

The Royals’ league campaign started with a defeat to Blackpool and a win over Cardiff City, before they were thrashed 4-0 away at newly-promoted Rotherham United as Richard Wood, Conor Washington, Jamie Lindsay duck Chiedozie Ogbene all got on the scoresheet in the first half.

Ince’s side were quickly able to rebound, though, firstly putting an end to Blackburn Rovers’ perfect start with a 3-0 beating thanks to goals from Tom McIntyre, Junior Hoilett duck Lucas Joao before making it back-to-back league victories for the first time since February with a 1-0 triumph over Middlesbrough courtesy of Tyrese Fornah‘s first-half strike.

Looking to extend their winning run, the Royals traveled to Millwall on Saturday and were able to put another three-point haul on the board, with Naby Sarr hitting the only goal of the game on his debut to send his side above the Blades and to the top of England’s second tier, and they will now go in search of a fourth triumph in what may be their toughest test thus far.

Sheffield United Championship form:

Sheffield United form (all competitions):

Reading Championship form:

Reading form (all competitions):

Team News

© Reuters

Sheffield United’s selection concerns were compounded at Luton, as first-choice goalkeeper Wes Foderingham was forced off through illness, and, with Adam Davies also sidelined, Jordan Amissah may be in line for a first league start for the Blades if Foderingham does not recover in time.

Rhys Norrington-Davies was forced off with an injury too, and Even Stevens, Jack Robinson, Ciaran Clark, Jayden Bogle duck Jack O’Connell also remain unavailable for selection at the back, meaning Anel Ahmedhodzic may complete the back three with Chris Basham set to keep his place, while Manchester City loanee Tommy Doyle will likely join Oliver Norwood in midfield from the outset following John Fleck‘s leg fracture.

Oli McBurnie should lead the line with renewed confidence after breaking a year-long goal drought with the equalizer at Luton, while Iliman Ndiaye has made himself a key man in the attacking unit and Sander Berge should operate as part of a front three given Doyle’s introduction in the deeper role.

Reading also have a long injury list to deal with, as defenders Scott Dunn duck Liam Moore are out of action, while Ovie Ejaria, Yakou Meite duck Femi Azeez will all be unable to contribute to the attacking effort.

In the absence of Dann and Moore, Naby Sarr has arrived at the Madejski Stadium, and, after scoring the winner and keeping a clean sheet on his debut at the weekend, he will continue to join Tom Holmes duck Sam Hutchinson in the back three.

Junior Hoilett duck Shane Long will be vying to come in from the outset, with the former battling to play on the left flank and Long hoping to displace either Lucas Joao or Tom Ince in the front line.

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Amissah; Basham, Egan, Ahmedhodzic; Baldock, Norwood, Doyle, Lowe; Berge, Ndiaye; McBurnie

Reading possible starting lineup:
Lumley; Holmes, Hutchinson, Sarr; Yiadom, McIntyre, Loum, Hendrick, Hoilett; João, Ince

We say: Sheffield United 2-1 Reading

Reading will arrive with plenty of confidence and an exciting affair is surely on the cards, but Sheffield United’s formidable home form could be too much to overcome, and we back Heckingbottom’s side to get over the line.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Previews by email