Verdict: Sheffield United win
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Making their first Championship appearance since their play-off final heartbreak at Wembley back in May, Sheffield United will welcome Bristol City to Bramall Lane.
Sheffield United
Starting with the hosts, suffering major heartbreak at Wembley as they collapsed to a last-gasp 2-1 defeat against Sunderland, Sheffield United know that they can’t show any signs of a hangover here. Getting a new era underway at Bramall Lane following Ruben Selles’ arrival over the summer, the former Hull boss will know that he has some serious pressure on his shoulders. Despite signing off their pre-season preparations with an action-packed 3-2 defeat against French giants Nice, the Blades should take plenty of positives away from their summer preparations. Winning five of their six friendly battles, Sheffield United should be relishing a return to Bramall Lane on Saturday evening. It should also be highlighted, Selles’ new camp suffered just a single Championship defeat in front of their own supporters since the end of February.
Sheffield United Team News
Completing a loan switch from Premier League outfit Aston Villa this summer, Louie Barry will make his competitive Sheffield United debut here. Not making a single appearance so far this calendar year, academy graduate Ollie Arblaster remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee injury
Bagging what turned out to be a consolation play-off final strike at Wembley on May 24th, former Stoke marksman Tyrese Campbell will lead the line on Saturday evening. Playmaker Gustavo Hamer will play a leading role in the middle of the park this weekend.
Bristol City
As for the visitors, while Bristol City might have sprung a real upset last season as they clinched a top-six finish, the Robins watched their play-off dreams come to a thumping end. Hit with a nightmare 6-0 aggregate defeat against the Blades, Gerhard Struber’s side will be more than aware that they face a heavyweight opening weekend challenge at Bramall Lane. Getting their summer preparations underway with an action-packed 6-2 loss against Premier League outfit Bournemouth, the one-time Barnsley boss will know that defensive stability is key this time around. Including a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Leeds on April 28th, Bristol City failed to muster a single clean sheet from any of their final 13 showdowns against Championship opposition – a run that stems all the way back to March 4th.
Bristol City Team News
Completing a free switch from Championship returners Southampton this summer, new recruit Joe Lumley could start between the sticks here. Making an immediate impact after arriving from Preston on a permanent basis, Emil Riis will play a leading role in the final third.
However, still sidelined with a long-term knee issue, Luke McNally won’t travel to Bramall Lane on Saturday evening. After spending last season on loan at Portsmouth, Robert Atkinson should start at the heart of Struber’s defence this weekend.
Sheffield United vs Bristol City Key Factors to Consider
- When Sheffield United and Bristol City met in the play-off semi-finals back in May, the Blades collected a sensational 6-0 aggregate win.
- In fact, Sheffield United are unbeaten in all of their previous nine meetings against Saturday’s guests across all competitions (seven wins, two draws).
- Bristol City failed to record a clean sheet in any of their final 13 showdowns against Championship opposition.
- Likewise, the Robins shipped 15 goals in their final five appearances last season.
- Sheffield United suffered just a single defeat at Bramall Lane since the end of February.
Conclusion
Suffering an infamous play-off final collapse at Wembley back in May, Sheffield United will be desperate to show that there are no signs of a hangover. Getting the 2025/26 campaign underway on Saturday evening, the Blades will be looking to make an early statement this weekend. Clinching a sensational 6-0 aggregate romp when they met Bristol City in the play-off semi-finals three months ago, Selles’ new squad also hold a dominant record against Saturday’s guests. Unbeaten in all of their last nine meetings against the Robins, we are backing a home win at Bramall Lane.
Verdict: Sheffield United win
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
