After a two-season absence, Sheffield United is making a comeback to the Premier League. Following a successful second-place finish in the Championship, their journey starts anew against Crystal Palace.
With the upcoming season appearing as challenging as ever, a strong beginning against the Eagles becomes imperative.
Palace’s Transition Without Zaha and Reliance on Eze
Crystal Palace enters the match without the services of Wilfried Zaha, who has departed for Galatasaray on a free transfer.
This marks the end of a prolonged departure saga.
The team now turns its attention to a budding star, Eberechi Eze, who is expected to maintain his impressive performance under the management of Roy Hodgson.
Hodgson, staying on as the manager for another season, will oversee this new phase for Palace.
Match Details: Date, Time, and Venue
The clash between Sheffield United and Crystal Palace is set for a 3pm BST kickoff on Saturday, August 12, 2023.
The event is scheduled to take place at Bramall Lane.
Viewing Options
For viewers in the UK, the match will not be available for live television broadcast due to the customary blackout for matches at 3pm on Saturdays.
However, fans can catch the highlights on the renowned show ‘Match of the Day,’ which airs at 10.20pm BST on Saturday evening.
This program will cover highlights from all the matches of the day.
Team News: Injury Woes and New Signings
Ahead of the match, Sheffield United’s manager, Paul Heckingbottom, acknowledges the persistent injury concerns plaguing his team.
Despite the challenges, newly acquired player Vinicius Souza is expected to make a significant contribution from the outset.
However, a slew of injuries impacts the availability of players like Oli Norwood, Daniel Jebbison, Oli McBurnie, John Fleck, Rhian Brewster, Ismaila Coulibaly, Jayden Bogle, and Rhys Norrington-Davies.
Heckingbottom admits that while progress has been made, many might not be fit for the opening weekend.
In contrast, Crystal Palace will have to wait for their new signing Matheus Franca to make his debut, as he comes with an existing injury.
Michael Olise’s absence is likely to extend until late September due to an injury sustained while representing France Under-21s.
Possibility of Tyrick Mitchell featuring exists, while Will Hughes’ unavailability paves the way for Jefferson Lerma to potentially start.
Prediction and Odds
Last season, Sheffield United left an impression, but their efforts to reinforce the squad over the summer have been limited.
Crystal Palace, as acknowledged by Hodgson himself, stands as a comparatively weaker team compared to his previous stint.
The Blades’ success is expected to hinge on their home performances, making this match a potential indicator for their future prospects.
The prediction leans toward a 1-0 victory for Crystal Palace.
Head-to-Head History and Betting Odds
In the historical matchups, Sheffield United has secured 22 wins, Crystal Palace has won 23 times, and they have drawn 12 matches.
As for the betting odds provided by Betfair (subject to change), Sheffield United stands at 21/10, a draw at 21/10, and Crystal Palace at 29/10.
