The League One campaign for 2014/15 is kicked off by predicted promotion pushers Sheffield United and Bristol City. Both of these teams will be looking to secure promotion back to the Championship at the end of the season and a hotly contested affair could unfold.
The Blades narrowly missed out on a play off spot; finishing 7th last season after a wretched start. However, under Nigel Clough, they seem to be a changed team. The were FA Cup Semi-Finalists under Clough, and the Blades look to be on the up.
Bristol City had a mediocre season in 2013/14. They finished 12th winning only 13 games all season. City were no strangers to scoring, however. Last season they scored 70 goals; a tally that puts them high up with the promotion pushers.
Sheffield United last game (Coventry City home)
Howard, Brayford, Freeman, Coady, Maguire, Collins, Flynn, Doyle, Baxter, Scougall, Murphy
Bristol City last game (Crawley Town away)
Moore, Nosworthy, Osborne, Williams, Maloney, Gillett, Pack, Elliott, Cunningham, Barnett, Baldock
Last meeting
Both times these teams met last season, it was the Blades that came out on top. When the sides met at Ashton Gate last November, the Blades were 1-0 victors. The South Yorkshire side also came out on top when they met at Bramall Lane in February. United were 3-0 winners in the return fixture.
Sheffield United
New signing, Michael Higdon, is looking as if he could miss out from this game. The striker is not 100% fit according to Blades manager, Nigel Clough. Clough was interviewed by BBC Radio Sheffield sports reporter, Andy Giddings. Giddings Tweeted:
#sufc boss NC says Higdon will be given time to get up to speed, and may not start the first few games. #twitterblades
— Andy Giddings (@Gids1980) August 6, 2014
Clough also told Giddings that another new addition, James Wallace, is unlikely to feature against Bristol City, and is more likely to feature in the Capital One Cup game against Mansfield Town. He Tweeted:
#sufc NC says Wallace should be fit for the Mansfield game. It’s only short term. 1 or 2 have missed training this week as a precaution.
— Andy Giddings (@Gids1980) August 6, 2014
Bristol City
City have a fit squad apart from defender Karleigh Osbourne who received a bad injury during the club’s pre-season tour of Botswana. The Bristol Post reports that manager Steve Cotterill claimed that the “challenge that left the 26-year-old with a gaping wound in his shin could easily have ended his career.”
Cotterill said,
“I don’t want to go into it too much, but if Karleigh’s foot had been planted, he might not have played again.”
Match prediction
Judging from last season’s meetings, I think the Blades will edge this one. The Blades have made many good signings this summer and look like a very strong team. Also, the Blades are the bookies favourites to win the league this season.
Prediction: 3-1 home win.
Odds (William Hill)
Sheffield United: Evens
Draw: 12/5
Bristol City: 14/5