Key events
4 mins: Brightonâs blend of black, white and fluorescent green makes their away kit a bit of an eyesore. Theyâve established some control of possesion now.
2 mins: Not a bad start for Sheffield United as Jayden Bogle smashes one goalwards and forces a save from Verbruggen.
No Cameron Archer or Ben Brereton DÃaz for Sheffield United will make things difficult for the hosts, youâd imagine. But this is positive.
KICK OFF
Letâs go!
Here come the players out of the tunnel and weâll get a loud rendition of that superb Sheffield United pre-match song, Greasy Chip Butty. Always excellent.
“He’s an important player” ð
Roberto De Zerbi says he’s happy for Simon Adingra following his AFCON victory with Ivory Coast ð pic.twitter.com/LOONoZ9qoC
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 18, 2024
Tom Lockyer is looking well and is a guest pundit on Sky Sports this afternoon, ahead of Luton v Manchester United later. He watched Sheffield United pick apart the Hatters last weekend â to everyoneâs surprise â and credits the Blades with keeping Ross Barkley very quiet in midfield. I wonder if Wilder has a similar hatchet plan for one or two Brighton players today. If they can shackle Mitoma, for example, theyâll have a chance. But then you have to keep tabs on Gilmour, and Gross, and Adingra â¦
This guy is one of the most underrated players in the Premier League, honestly.
What price a Sheffield United win today, then? Iâm a little surprised Brighton arenât even bigger favourites according to the bookmakers, but there you go. Here are the odds via OLBG:
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Sheffield United 18/5
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Draw 16/5
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Brighton 4/6
Brightonâs women are currently in action, facing Liverpool in the WSL, with the visitors just going ahead through Ceri Holland. Follow it here if you fancy:
Team news analysis: It could well be that both sides are plumping for five (or three) at the back â depending on whether Pascal Gross plays as a wing-back for Brighton or not. It must be said, that Seagullsâ squad looks very strong on paper, with Fati, Evan Ferguson and Pervis Estupiñán all on the bench.
Sheffield Unitedâs injury toll shows in the strength of their side, with the untested young striker Will Osula leading their line, although he has scored three goals in the FA Cup this season, while McBurnie is at least deemed fit enough for the bench.
Team news
Sheffield United: Foderingham, Bogle, Robinson, Ahmedhodzic, Holgate, Larouci, Osborn, McAtee, Hamer, Souza, Osula
Subs: Grbic, Trusty, Norwood, Davies, Arblaster, Brooks, Blacker, Brewster, McBurnie
Brighton: Verbruggen, Lamptey, Webster, Dunk, Van Hecke, Gilmour, Gross, Adingra, Mitoma, Buonanotte, Welbeck
Subs: Steele, Julio, Moder, Veltman, Estupiñán, Baleba, Fati, Ferguson, Baker-Boaitey
Preamble
Right, Sheffield United, if youâre to stand any chance of an unlikely escape from relegation, you probably need to win today. Against oft-lauded (but often inconsistent) Brighton, the Bladesâ chances may be slim, but the Chris Wilder impact is definitely taking effect â to some extent. United have collected eight points from Wilderâs 10 league games in charge so far, an improvement from the five points they managed in 14 matches under Paul Heckingbottom.
The Bramall Lane factor could be a boost for the Blades this afternoon, as should their performance last time out, winning 3-1 at Luton in impressive fashion. Official team news will land shortly, but Ben Brereton DÃaz could well miss out through injury, which is a blow considering the form heâs shown since signing on loan in January. For Brighton, Simon Adingra is back fresh from winning Afcon with Ivory Coast while Ansu Fati and Kaoru Mitoma could both return to the matchday, too. João Pedro is among those out for the visitors.
Kick off is at 2pm GMT â stick with us through the afternoon for the latest.
