Sheffield United vs Burnley – Preview | OneFootball

Sheffield United welcome Burnley to Bramall Lane on Boxing Day in what’s set up to be a fascinating battle between two promotion chasing teams.

The Blades ensured they would remain at the top of the table for Christmas after a controlled 2-0 win away at Cardiff City, thanks to two superb second half strikes by Welsh international Kieffer Moore.

Meanwhile, Burnley come into this contest in remarkable form having not tasted defeat since early November. A recent 2-1 victory over Watford made sure they stayed in touch with both the Blades and Leeds United at the top of the table in the festive season.

Transfer Business

It was a major worry for Burnley at the start of the summer window as they sold off several key players from previous campaigns such as Dara O’Shea, Sander Berge, Wilson Odobert and Anas Zaroury. They eventually made up for that towards the end of the window when they brought in some fine attacking players on loan from the Premier League; Jeremy Sarmiento and Jaidon Anthony, both of whom have had decent starts to the season.

The two speedy wide forwards have contributed to seven league goals between them, adding to the three goal contributions that, yet another loan signing, Zain Flemming has produced. The Dutch attacker was probably involved in one of the most unpredictable signings of the summer, having arrived on loan from Millwall. Nevertheless, Flemming has brought a great high pressing intensity to Scott Parker’s team, and he’s taken on that role of being an impact player from the bench.

Modern day Blades legend, John Egan will be returning to S2 Boxing Day. The Irishman was picked up by Burnley off of free agency, but since then he has amassed five appearances which includes just a single start. Whether coming off the bench or starting, you know in Egan you have a dependable and experienced centre-back that is also decent enough on the ball in the Championship.

Team News

Chris Wilder has stated that Anel Ahmedhodzic and Vinicius Souza will be ready for the clash on Boxing Day. There are no other new injuries to report, but Femi Seriki and Tyrese Campbell are still likely to not feature in the matchday squad as precaution.

Scott Parker has had to deal with multiple injuries this season to key players, and it looks as though they will be without Jordan Beyer, Aaron Ramsey, Lyle Foster, Manuel Benson and Jeremy Sarmiento for visit to Bramall Lane.

Sheffield United’s Star Player For This Game

Having missed the last few games with injury, Vinicius Souza will be well-rested and ready to go for the Boxing Day game, and the Blades will need the Brazilian midfielder to continue his excellent performance levels against Burnley, who boast a very good midfield themselves.

Burnley average the fourth-highest possession in the Championship (56.1%), along with a total of 122 passes in the final third (5th highest), so Sheffield United will certainly have to do their fair share of work off the ball, where Souza has been immense all season. Souza has won the ball back a staggering 90 times for his team this season, he ranks in the 95th percentile for tackles and interceptions combined (versus other Championship midfielders), and he has a 69% tackle success rate versus dribblers which ranks him in the top 5% of midfielders in the division, per FBref.

He’s not just a defensive beast though; this season he has shown his composure on the ball, even against the press and in tight spaces. His ability to evade pressure and play more simple passes does not go unnoticed. He currently holds a 89% pass success rate, which ranks him in the top 5% of midfielders in the league. To add, even though he dribbles the ball below the league average, he has a 70% success rate which ranks in the 91st percentile.

Getting Souza back for this game is a huge boost for Sheffield United because they will need him to break up opposition moves and keep United’s attacks moving in the middle and final third areas of the pitch.

BURNLEY, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 21: Josh Brownhill of Burnley reacts during the Sky Bet Championship match between Burnley FC and Watford FC at Turf Moor on December 21, 2024 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)

Burnley’s Star Player For This Game

I’ve picked out Vinicius Souza to be the potential star of the show for Sheffield United, and for Burnley I’m going to pick the player that will likely be closely followed by the United player and that is Josh Brownhill.

The club captain has had an unbelievable campaign so far, contributing to 11 goals and he’s currently the top scorer for Burnley with eight. Brownhill has the energy and work-rate of a box-to-box player, but he’s been given the license to play more freely by Scott Parker; he can make late darting runs into the box or beyond the striker. And this role has certainly paid off thus far.

Brownhill ranks in the top percentile for goals scored by midfielders in the league per 90, and he ranks 88th percentile for touches in the opposition box compared to the rest of the Championship midfielders. As mentioned earlier, he has exceptional work-rate, which is likely why he has thrived in a high-pressing Scott Parker system. So far, he ranks in the 86th percentile for tackles in the final third; the Blades, and particularly the likes of Souza and Sydie Peck, will have to remain calm under the counter press of Burnley, which is often led by Brownhill.

My Prediction

Sheffield United and Burnley have been the most challenging sides to beat in the Championship, having lost just four games between them out of 44, and their meeting at Bramall Lane might end in a draw. The Blades have dropped just two points at home, and have kept nine clean sheets at home, but will face a tough test against Burnley, who secured a 1-0 victory away at Leeds in September.

This one will end either 1-1 or 2-1 to Sheffield United.