PREVIEW: SHEFFIELD UNITED (A)

5 December 2022

All you need to know ahead of our next Sky Bet Championship fixture

- Sheffield United vs Huddersfield Town
- 3pm kick-off at Bramall Lane
- Match available to watch and listen to on iFollow

We are back in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday 10 December when they travel to face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane; 3pm kick-off.

The Terriers are back in Sky Bet Championship action after the World Cup break on Saturday against Sheffield United in a 3pm kick-off.

Town come into this game looking to pick up vital points and continue building where they left off after winning two, losing two and drawing one of their last five games.

Our visitors come into the game looking to build on their last away win against Cardiff City on Saturday 12 November and secure that top spot again.

THE OPPOSITION

This is Sheffield United’s second consecutive season in the Sky Bet Championship following their two-year stint in the Premier League, which saw them finish ninth the first season before they were relegated in the second season.

Last season, the Blades finished fifth in the Sky Bet Championship and were beaten by Nottingham Forest in the Play-Off Semi-Final.

Paul Heckingbottom, who was originally appointed as the Under-23 lead coach, was appointed as the permanent manager of Sheffield United in November 2021 following the dismissal of Slaviša Jokanović. After an impressive start to his job in South Yorkshire, Heckingbottom took his side to the 2021/22 Play-Offs and they now sit second in the Sky Bet Championship table.

ONES TO WATCH

George Baldock

The full back arrived at Bramall Lane from MK Dons in the summer of 2017 on a three-year-deal, before signing a new four-year contract the club in December 2020 – keeping him with Sheffield United until 2024. Baldock went through the ranks with MK Dons and went on multiple loan spells with clubs including Northampton Town, two spells with Tamworth, IBV, and two spells with Oxford United before making the move to South Yorkshire. The Greek international has made over 175 appearances and scored seven goals for the Blades.

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Oliver Norwood

Norwood joined the Blades on an initial loan deal in the summer of 2018 before this was made permanent the following January after his departure from Brighton & Hove Albion. The midfielder was a vital part of helping Sheffield United win promotion to the Premier League and then flourished as a player during their first season back in the top flight. So far this season, Norwood has appeared in all 22 games, while scoring two goals and assisting a further three goals.

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Oliver McBurnie

The forward moved the Bramall Lane following his departure from Swansea City in the summer of 2019 on a four-year deal. Since starting his career at Bradford City, McBurnie has played for clubs including Chester, Swansea City, Newport County, Bristol Rovers, and Barnsley. The Scottish international made an instant impact in the Premier League and scored his first top-flight goal against Leicester City and went on to impress in the remainder of the campaign as they finished ninth. McBurnie recently underwent a Hernia operation, but Sheffield United were hopeful that he would make a swift return to Sky Bet Championship action straight after the World Cup break. Blades’ top goal scorer this season so far has scored nine goals in his 17 appearances, as well as assisting a further goal.

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TEAM NEWS

Head Coach Mark Fotheringham will provide full team news at his next press conference on Thursday 8 December 2022.

KIT

Town will be wearing their home blue and white stripes on Saturday afternoon at Bramall Lane.

CLICK HERE to get your 2022/23 home kit!

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HOW TO WATCH

Tickets are on sale online until 2pm on Friday 9 December – CLICK HERE – and are available to purchase form the Ticket Office.

Sheffield United have confirmed that Pay on the Day will NOT be available at the Bramall Lane on match day.

Adults - £33
Over 60s – £26
Students (with valid student card) – £21
18-21 years - £21
Under-18s - £15.40

DISABLED SUPPORTERS

Ambulant disabled supporters should pay their relevant age category, or £26 for adults, with a carer ticket free or charge.

Wheelchair users should pay their relevant age category, or £26 for adults, with a carer ticket free of charge.

For further information regarding Disabled Supporters visiting Bramall Lane, including Accessible Guides, CLICK HERE.

iFOLLOW HTAFC

If you’re unable to attend the game on Saturday afternoon, you can watch and listen along via iFollow HTAFC!

A single match pass for the Terriers trip to Bramall Lane is just £10, and supporters will be able to stream the full 90 minutes of action for that price.

Live audio commentary will be available for the game when you purchase either a Monthly Pass or Audio Match Pass. You can purchase a Monthly Pass for £4.49 or an Audio Match Pass for £2.50.

CLICK HERE to sign up to iFollow HTAFC!

Match Reports

REPORT: SHEFF UTD 1-0 TOWN

10 December 2022

Early first half Billy Sharp goal condemns Town in Yorkshire derby

- Huddersfield Town defeated at Sheffield United
- Billy Sharp scores the game’s only goal
- Game of few clear-cut chances at Bramall Lane

Town’s first game back after the World Cup break ended in narrow defeat at Sheffield United, with Billy Sharp scoring the game’s only goal.

It was a match of few clear-cut chances for either side, but experienced marksman Sharp took advantage of by far the clearest of them just after the quarter-hour to secure all three points for his side.

After a first 45 when Town were largely on the defensive, they showed some improvement in the second half, but failed to seriously test United goalkeeper Wes Foderingham despite two spells of pressure.

Mark Fotheringham employed the same gameplan that served the Terriers well in the last away game – the victory at QPR – with a tight 5-4-1 out of possession and wingers Duane Holmes and Sorba Thomas tasked to get alongside striker Danny Ward when possession was won.

The second-placed home side were dangerous on the ball, with the likes of Senegal international Iliman Ndiaye and Manchester City loanee James McAtee allowed to drift around, get on the ball and drive at Town’s defence at every opportunity.

That meant the likes of Tom Lees had to be alert, and he pulled off a superb block to deny McAtee a clear shot at goal after one such dribble inside nine minutes as the Blades made the running.

Town did have moments to spring forwards but on two occasions in the first quarter of an hour, Holmes saw his crosses deflected into the hands of goalkeeper Wes Foderingham when well positioned.

The game’s first goal came in the 16th minute through a familiar scorer against Town – Billy Sharp. Ndiaye did very well to ride a strong challenge from Lees and turn towards our goal before sliding a pass to our right for Sharp, who had drifted wide of Helik and behind Kesler-Hayden. Lee Nicholls tried to come and block the shot at source, but Sharp expertly lifted the ball over the goalkeeper and into the vacant net.

The half petered out after that, but the introduction of Club Captain Jonathan Hogg at half time – his first appearance since September due to injury – saw Town suddenly enjoy more of the ball.

That possession led to our best chance of the game in the 54th minute. Jack Rudoni did well to dig out a cross by the right corner flag, and the clearance only went as far as Holmes; he took a touch past an onrushing defender before taking aim from 20 yards, only to shoot straight at Foderingham.

Town kept the pressure on with another chance just after the hour mark. This time Holmes turned provider, turning past a defender to break into space and finding Danny Ward in the area; he hooked a ball to the back post where Kesler-Hayden tried to shoot on his weaker left, only to send the ball wide of target.

United managed to settle things down thereafter, and neither side could create chances of real note. United had an effort from substitute Khadra deflected into Nicholls’ hands by Hogg, before another sub – Sander Berge – fired well over from range.

At the other end, Town’s best shout came when Rudoni drove into the penalty area before pulling the ball back, only for it to seemingly strike the hand of a defender. Unfortunately for the men in blue and white, referee Darren Bond judged that it was a natural occurrence and not deliberate handball.

Impact sub Brahima Diarra was inches away from feeding Helik the ball on the penalty spot with a late cross, but he couldn’t connect and Foderingham claimed once again.

Town’s team (5-4-1)
Lee Nicholls; Kaine Kesler-Hayden (Tyreece Simpson, 78’), Tom Lees (c), Michał Helik, Will Boyle, Josh Ruffels (Jordan Rhodes, 88’); Sorba Thomas, David Kasumu (Jonathan Hogg, 46’), Jack Rudoni, Duane Holmes (Brahima Diarra, 65’); Danny Ward

Unused substitutes
Nicholas Bilokapic; Ben Jackson, Loick Ayina

Bookings
Sorba Thomas (31’), Jonathan Hogg (59’)