90min

Sheffield United vs Wolves Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News

By Josh Sim

Both sides will be looking to steal a march on the race for Europe
Both sides will be looking to steal a march on the race for Europe / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
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The race for Europe continues on Wednesday evening when eighth-placed Sheffield United host sixth-placed Wolves.

Chris Wilder's side were held 1-1 at Burnley on Sunday, and need the points more than ever in midweek as teams like Arsenal, the Clarets and even Everton steam up the table toward them.

They won't have an easy evening against an efficient Wolves team, who saw their three-game win streak snapped by a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal on the weekend.

Where to Watch

When is Kick Off? Wednesday 8 July
What Time is Kick Off? 18:00 (GMT)
Where Is it Played? Bramall Lane
TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports (UK), FuboTV (US)
Referee? Martin Atkinson

Team News

The Blades have plenty of injuries which have affected their squad selection of late. Midfielders John Fleck (groin) and Luke Freeman have been ruled out in advance, as has fantasy football darling John Lundstram (shoulder).

Centre-back Jack O'Connell made his return from injury as a substitute on Sunday and will be in contention to start on Wednesday, meaning Wilder will be able to choose his first-choice backline for this important game.

Meanwhile, Nuno Espírito Santo has no injury worries at all ahead of their trip to Yorkshire. The Portuguese boss will have to decide on Raúl Jiménez's strike partner, with Adama Traoré being preferred to Diogo Jota in their recent defeat to the Gunners.

Predicted Lineups

Sheffield United: Henderson; Basham, Egan, O'Connell; Baldock, Berge, Norwood, Osborn, Stevens; McBurnie, McGoldrick.

Wolves: Patrício, Boly, Coady, Saïss; Doherty, Dendoncker, Neves, Moutinho, Jonny; Jiménez, Traoré.

Recent Form

Sheffield United had been in poor form since the Premier League's restart, losing three out of four games before beating Spurs last Thursday – and any hint of winning momentum may have been stunted by the weekend's draw with Burnley.

As for the visitors, while their winning run was ended by their defeat on Saturday against Arsenal, they have been pretty solid at the back (with three clean sheets in four games).

Nuno Espírito Santo will be keen to rebound from their defeat on Sunday
Nuno Espírito Santo will be keen to rebound from their defeat on Sunday / Sam Bagnall - AMA/Getty Images

Here's how both sides have fared in their last five encounters.

Sheffield United

Burnley 1- 1 Sheffield United (5/7)
Sheffield United 3-1 Spurs (2/7)
Sheffield United 1-2 Arsenal (28/6)
Man Utd 3-0 Sheffield United (24/6)
Newcastle 3-0 Sheffield United (21/6)

Wolves

Wolves 0-2 Arsenal (4/7)
Aston Villa 0-1 Wolves (27/6)
Wolves 1-0 Bournemouth (24/6)
West Ham 0-2 Wolves (20/6)
Olympiacos 1-1 Wolves (12/3)

Prediction

With both sides chasing similar targets by the season's end, it promises to be a close encounter as a defeat would prove costly to either team's aspirations.

Sheffield United have looked considerably more solid at the back in their last two games and will certainly make it difficult for Jiménez and co, with O'Connell's return ensuring Wilder can pick his first-choice backline once again.

Wolves' star striker could be in for a tough evening against the Blades' backline
Wolves' star striker could be in for a tough evening against the Blades' backline / Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

the lack of a reliable goalscorer could hurt them against a resolute Wolves' defence though – and with both clubs keen to avoid defeat, they are likely to cancel each other out in a draw, with few goals expected on the night.

Prediction: Sheffield United 1-1 Wolves