Preston North End vs Sheffield United – Preview

Sheffield United travel to Lancashire on Tuesday night to face struggling Preston North End in the EFL Championship.

Preston are in serious trouble, they sit bottom of the table with just five points from 13 games. Stoke City handed them their tenth defeat of the season at the weekend.

The Blades recorded a clean sheet and a 1-0 win on Friday evening against Wrexham, leaving them just three points off the play-off places.

Team News

The home side could be without former Blade Harry Clarke and Liam Gibbs for this contest.

United will look to manage the minutes of Kalvin Phillips after he took a knock during the win against Wrexham. Patrick Bamford could return to the matchday squad for this clash. Femi Seriki may be handed a start at right-back to rest Hamza Choudhury.

Preston North End’s Impact Player For This Game

Preston North End will need their attacking players to produce something special when Sheffield United travel to Deepdale, and Callum Lang could be their biggest threat going forward.

The forward is currently Preston’s leading goalscorer in the Championship, making him an important figure for a side that has struggled badly in the final third this season. The Lilywhites have scored just 10 goals in 13 league matches, the lowest tally in the division, and will need Lang to provide some much-needed attacking inspiration.

Lang has registered 18 shots, seven on target and three goals in 13 Championship appearances, accumulating an expected goals figure of 4.38. That suggests he has been getting into promising positions, although his finishing could certainly improve.

His versatility is another useful asset for Graham Alexander, with the 28-year-old capable of operating centrally or from either flank. He could cause problems by dropping into pockets of space, linking play and looking to exploit any gaps between Sheffield United’s midfield and defence.

Sheffield United’s Impact Player For This Game

Romelle Donovan could be the player to watch when Sheffield United travel to Deepdale, particularly after the Brentford loanee’s impressive performance in Friday night’s 1-0 victory over Wrexham.

The 19-year-old was handed his first Championship start since September against Phil Parkinson’s side and fully justified Chris Wilder’s decision. Operating down the left flank, Donovan offered exactly the sort of attacking unpredictability that United needed.

Donovan finished the contest with nine crosses into the penalty area, registered a key pass, and completed three of seven successful dribbles. He also won nine of 19 ground duels. Plus, he was named Player of the Match for his contributions.

The on-loan Brentford man is quite simply the best attacking player within the United ranks, and his recent appearances against Derby County and Wrexham prove exactly that. Expect him to get the travelling supporters excited on Tuesday night.

My Prediction

Preston North End will need to start fast in this contest otherwise the Blades will take advantage of the anxious atmosphere in the stadium and make it even more uncomfortable for Alexander’s side.

The Blades will see out a 2-0 victory in this one, extending their unbeaten run to four.

Stats taken from Fotmob.