Both sides would be looking for bragging rights to get the perfect start in the new Premier League season.
2022/23 EFL Championship runners-up, Sheffield United, will mark their return to the top flight after two seasons with the hosting of South Londoners Crystal Palace. Paul Heckingbottom’s men secured automatic promotion behind record-breaking Burnley by virtue of an incredible home record last term with 16 wins from their 23 games which resulted in 51 of a possible 69 points.
Sheffield will be hoping Bramall Lane can work some more magic in the Premier League as they have failed to win their opening fixture for three consecutive years. In fact, United have delivered only two wins and a draw over the last ten campaigns.
The Blades are going into their sixth top-flight campaign knowing the battle for survival will be tense and their mood hasn’t been helped by three defeats from their six pre-season friendly games. Sheffield were beaten by VfB Stuttgart 3-0 in their last outing which preceded a 3-1 victory over Derby County and a 2-0 loss to Spanish side Girona.
It has not helped in any way that Sheffield have lost key players, most notably after the sale of star forward Iliman Ndiaye, while they’ve also lost midfielder Sander Berge to fellow promoted outfit Burnley.
With a limited number of incomings amid the continued uncertainty regarding the club’s ownership situation, Sheffield boss Paul Heckingbottom will be hoping for positivity on the pitch, starting with a win for the Blades in their opening game of the season for the first time since August 2017.
Crystal Palace finished last term in flying form after Roy Hodgson sensationally returned to take them up to an 11th-place finish. The Eagles won five and drew three of their ten matches and will head into the new season on the back of a 2-0 victory over Lyon in pre-season which came after a defeat to Sevilla on penalties.
Midfielder Jeffrey Schlupp curiously mentioned after that game that the Eagles are “fully determined and ready to go” as they look to build on their 11th placed finish from the 2022/23 campaign. Palace have managed to finish in the top-half only once since promotion in 2013!
On paper though, Roy Hodgson’s side are arguably a weaker team than they were last season though, considering that the talismanic presence of Wilfried Zaha is no longer available, following the forward’s departure for Galatasaray. It doesn’t get any better as they could yet lose another key figure in the form of Michael Olise before the transfer window ends. The 21-year-old is currently attracting strong interest from Chelsea and Manchester City and Hodgson himself has admitted he is unsure about the players’ future at the club.
Elswehere, arrivals Jefferson Lerma and Matheus França could slot into the midfield for their trip to Sheffield as Palace look to improve on their poor recent head-to-head record with the Blades, having lost on three of their last four trips to Bramall Lane.
An interesting stat comes in the fact that Crystal Palace have only won one of their last seven PL away games played in the month of August
Match tickets
The game is scheduled to start by 3 pm UK time at Bramall Lane on Saturday 12 August and tickets have been on sale via each club’s website.
Given that Sheffield’s home ground is set to be packed to the rafters, their fans will be in full voice during Sheffield Utd vs Crystal Palace. Away supporters looking to make the trip from London may find it difficult to get a hold of a match ticket so ticket reselling sites are the most likely source for those who still want to see this rare Premier League fixture.
Team News
Sheffield United’s summer business has seen them lose star-man Iliman Ndiaye to boyhood club Marseille while they signed Auston Trusty from Arsenal, Benie Traore from Hacken, Anis Slimane from Brondby and Yasser Larouci from Troyes.
On opening day, they have considerable absentees but could also be without key midfielder Sander Berge who is in talks to sign for Burnley as John Fleck, Oli McBurnie and Rhys Norrington-Davies are also fitness doubts.
Crystal Palace bolstered their ranks with the signings of Brazilian Matheus Franca and ex-Bournemouth man Jefferson Lerma as Wilfried Zaha and Jack Butland left Selhurst Park over the summer.
There will be a new feel to the front three after Zaha’s belated departure and Michael Olise’s injury during the U21 Euros, with Odsonne Edouard expected to lead the line and Lerma making his competitive debut in midfield.
Line-ups
The Blades have a nice pair of fixtures to start the season and they must secure some points and performances to set the tone for a competitive campaign. Indeed, Heckingbottom will want his influential players available as they look to learn from their previous experiences in the first division.
Sheffield: Foderingham; Ahmedhodzic, Egan, Robinson; Baldock, Berge, Norwood, Slimane, Larouci; Traore, Osula
The Crystal Palace team is just about settled with the most changes coming in the forward areas. Eberechi Eze will start in attacking midfield with Jordan Ayew covering for the injured Olise.
Tyrick Mitchell and Will Hughes are doubts for the clash but Franca has been ruled out and would have to wait for his Palace debut.
Crystal Palace: Johnstone; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Clyne; Lerma, Doucoure; Ayew, Eze, Schlupp; Edouard
Prediction
The hosts will be keen to bring their exceptional Championship form into this season’s Premier League hence their home form is of utmost importance to their chances of survival. Palace, on the other hand, are regular campaigners at this level and they could be too much for the Blades.
With the two recent seasons in the top-flight ending in two wins apiece for each side, a draw is unlikely and the game looks prime for the Eagles to claim their first win of the campaign on the road.
Sheffield United 1-2 Crystal Palace
