Football

Sheffield United vs Crystal Palace predicted lineups: Blades back in the big time

Sheffield United vs Crystal Palace predicted lineups: Blades back in the big time
Photo by Icon sport

Sheffield United’s first match back in the Premier League takes place on Saturday afternoon when they welcome Roy Hodgson and Crystal Palace to Bramall Lane. The Blades have had an interesting summer after securing promotion, as Sander Berge and Iliman Ndiaye have left the club despite being key players last season. The match is set to kick off at 15:00 UK time.

Sheffield United vs Crystal Palace predicted lineups and news

Both Sheffield United and Crystal Palace have lost some of their key players this summer which makes this game an intriguing matchup as both are somewhat of an unknown quantity. Despite that, the bookmakers are leaning more towards the away team with Crystal Palace the pre-match favourites at 11/8.

Team news: Sheffield United

The big news for Sheffield United ahead of their opening Premier League fixture is that last season’s top scorer, Iliman Ndiaye, who netted 14 league goals en route to promotion has been officially sold to Marseille for £17m. The sale of Ndiaye has come out of the blue and it has left many fans puzzled, particularly as Sander Berge has also followed him out of the door.

It means that the Blades’ starting lineup on Saturday is hard to predict but some of their new signings could be in contention to start. Vini Souza, the club’s biggest signing of the season, is expected to play from the start while Benie Traore, a £4m signing from the Ivory Coast, could start up front after Ndiaye’s departure.

If things weren’t bleak enough for the club, they are also without several first-team players due to injury. Bogle, Brewster and Fleck are all definitely out while Ollie McBurnie is also in a race against time to be fit.

Sheffield United predicted lineup

Foderingham; Ahmedhodzic, Egan, Robinson; Baldock, Souza, Norwood, Osborn, Lowe; Traore, Osula

Team news: Crystal Palace

It will be a strange experience watching Crystal Palace walk out for a Premier League match on Saturday afternoon without Wilfried Zaha. The Ivorian winger is one of the club’s greatest-ever players but made the difficult decision to move to Galatasaray on a free transfer this summer.

Another player who won’t be in the starting lineup on Saturday is Vicente Guaita. Roy Hodgson has confirmed that the goalkeeper is looking for a way out of the club and therefore won’t be available for selection until his future is sorted. In terms of injuries, Michael Olise is ruled out while Will Hughes is a doubt.

Crystal Palace predicted lineup

Johnstone; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Clyne; Doucoure, Lerma; Ayew, Eze, Schlupp; Edouard

Will Michael Olise play?

After the departure of Zaha, the baton has been passed to Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze to become the new focal point of this Crystal Palace team. Unfortunately for Palace fans, Olise will not be available for their opener with Sheffield United as he is still recovering from a thigh injury.

The Frenchman has attracted interest from Chelsea and Man City this summer but Hodgson will be desperate to keep hold of him as the club moves into the post-Zaha era.


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