Still without a single point since their return to the big time, Sheffield United look to pull off a Premier League giant killing when they welcome champions Manchester City to Bramall Lane on Sunday afternoon.

The Blades fell to a 2-1 beating at the hands of Nottingham Forest in gameweek two, while Pep Guardiola‘s men maintained their perfect start by seeing off Newcastle United 1-0.

Match preview

Sheffield United had been crying out for a dash of attacking inspiration during their opening-day defeat to Crystal Palace, and new signing Gustavo Hamer delivered it when Forest came to town two Fridays ago, but the Dutchman’s wonder strike was ultimately in vain.

Tricky Trees hotshot Taiwo Awoniyi got on the end of Serge Aurier‘s cross to propel Forest ahead with just three minutes gone, and while Hamer drew the Blades level with a magnificent long-range effort, another Aurier delivery was on the money for Chris Wood to head home the winning goal in the 89th minute.

A few more lessons in defending crosses would not go amiss for Paul Heckingbottom‘s men, who have shipped all three of their Premier League goals to deliveries into the box so far in the 2023-24 season, finding themselves 16th in the embryonic rankings as a result.

Whether Hamer’s stunning strike against Forest is a sign of things to come for the ex-Coventry City man remains to be seen, but the Blades already appear to be fighting an uphill battle to stay afloat in the top flight after sanctioning the exits of Iliman Ndiaye and Sander Berge earlier this month.

Including friendlies, Sheffield United have now posted five defeats from their last six matches during a miserable summer spell – scoring a mere two goals in the process – leaving the Blades faithful travelling to Bramall Lane on Sunday in faint hope rather than expectation.

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With the stricken Kevin De Bruyne once again entering the treatment room with a serious hamstring injury, Phil Foden took it upon himself to act as Man City’s creator-in-chief when Newcastle visited the Etihad last Saturday, and the England international’s dazzling display was key to unlocking the staunch Magpies backline.

Perhaps still nursing a European hangover from their successful UEFA Super Cup exploits, Man City required just the one goal to see off Eddie Howe‘s men, as Foden picked out Julian Alvarez to launch a peach of a strike into the far corner with just over half an hour played.

Also boasting a convincing 3-0 success from their opening-day showdown with Burnley, Man City have already assumed a podium place in the early-season standings, although eight-goal Brighton & Hove Albion are keeping the champions in second for the time being.

Now on the hunt for three successive Premier League clean sheets for the first time since December 2021, Man City have a new weapon in their attacking ranks in the shape of Jeremy Doku, confirming the Belgian’s arrival in a £55.8m deal from Rennes on Thursday to bolster their Riyad Mahrez-less attacking ranks.

The 21-year-old could potentially make his Premier League bow against a team whom Man City have beaten in the last five meetings between the two outfits – with five clean sheets in tow – and not since a 2007-08 FA Cup fourth-round tie have Sheffield United beaten the Citizens, when the late Luton Shelton was on target.

HEAD TO HEAD

Injury was added to insult on three occasions for Sheffield United during their defeat at Nottingham Forest, as defender Max Lowe, midfielder Vinicius Souza and attacker Benie Traore were all forced off, although the trio could still be passed fit for the weekend.

Heckingbottom is already dealing with an unsightly list of absentees, as John Fleck (leg), Rhian Brewster (thigh), Ismaila Coulibaly (knee) and Rhys Norrington-Davies (thigh) are missing, while George Baldock (calf), Oli McBurnie (foot), Daniel Jebbison (groin), Jayden Bogle (knee) and Anis Ben Slimane (thigh) are all touch-and-go.

Should Souza not be risked from the off, ex-Everton man Tom Davies could make his first start for the Blades since his arrival on a free transfer, while Yasser Larouci is an option to come in for the uncertain Lowe on the left side.

Speaking of new arrivals, Doku will be eligible to make his Man City debut here but will expect to take his place on the bench for Sunday’s game, especially with Bernardo Silva – who has just extended his contract until 2026 – now fully recovered from illness.

Silva’s expected return to the right flank could push Foden out to the left at Bramall Lane – thereby bumping Jack Grealish down to the bench – while hamstring victim De Bruyne is joined in the medical bay by John Stones, whose thigh problem will keep him out until after the international break.

Despite their exertions in Piraeus, all 11 of Guardiola’s starters last weekend completed the full 90 against Newcastle, and a near-identical setup would see James McAtee warm the bench against the team he helped propel back into the Premier League last term.

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Foderingham; Robinson, Egan, Ahmedhodzic; Baldock, Norwood, Souza, Larouci; Hamer, Traore; Osula

Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Silva, Alvarez, Foden; Haaland