Sheffield United vs Brentford tips and predictions: No second honeymoon for Chris Wilder

The Blades are in danger of collecting their fourth defeat on the bounce and third game without a goal if they don't turn up against Thomas Frank's troops.

After being brushed aside by Burnley, which cost Paul Heckingbottom his job, Wilder's first task was a nasty fixture against second-place Liverpool.

The Blades weren't expected to get anything from that game, and they didn't. A lot of huff and puff and very little cutting edge in the final third. Same old story.

Brentford represents a more beatable opposition, as they can't get a decent run together either. Two wins from their last five isn't great, but they have played Arsenal, Liverpool and Brighton.

However, Sheff United and beating teams goes together like custard and petrol at the moment.

There can't have been many who would have tipped Burnley to win so handsomely last weekend, and the way the Blades rolled over was troubling. Surely collecting that Premier League worst points ever record is something they can avoid with Wilder at the helm?

On paper this game has all the appeal of the cold sprout that has escaped the Christmas dinner plate and has tucked itself into a long-forgotten corner of the kitchen. Nobody wants it, Sheffield United are doom and gloom and Brentford’s squad is decimated.

Even though it feels like the kind of game that always ticks over without anyone noticing, the two clubs haven't played each other since the 2018/19 season, with Sheffield United winning both of those games.

Sheffield United haven't lost to Brentford since 2013, with three wins and two draws under their belts since then. This will also be the first time these two sides have met in the Premier League.

Brentford's long injury list and the latest injury to Bryan Mbeumo might give Sheffield United a sniff of keeping that good run going, but it's only a sniff.

United haven't scored in two, while Brentford haven't kept a clean sheet in five. So there should be goals, especially with the way Sheffield United's defence is playing.

But we just can't see a way Sheffield United can get the better of Brentford here. There will be no second honeymoon for Wilder and the Bees should win by the odd goal.

 

Team news

Mbeumo is facing weeks on the sidelines due to the “bad” injury he suffered at Brighton.

Frank is still awaiting a full diagnosis but is preparing to be without the Cameroon international for the foreseeable future.

Oli McBurnie will miss out as he serves the second of a two-game suspension, while Oliver Norwood is also in the stands after collecting his fifth yellow of the season against Liverpool.

The United injury list includes Daniel Jebbison, Rhian Brewster, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Chris Basham, John Egan, Tom Davies and George Baldock, who could all be out until the new year.

For Brentford Mbeumo is facing weeks on the sidelines due to the “bad” injury he suffered at Brighton.

Frank is still awaiting a full diagnosis but is preparing to be without the Cameroon international for the foreseeable future.

Christian Norgaard should return to the starting XI after missing the Brighton game with a ban.

If Mbeumo is out he will join Brentford injury crisis that includes Rico Henry, Kevin Schade, Aaron Hickey, Kristoffer Ajer and Nathan Collins.

Mathias Jensen and Josh Dasilva are on the road to recovery and could make the squad.

 

Key stats

- Sheffield United are unbeaten against Brentford in five
- Sheffield United won the last two matches against Brentford
- Sheffield United have lost three on the trot and not scored in two
- Brentford no clean sheet in five

 

Predictions

-  Brentford to win 2-1
-  Over 1.5 goals