Sheffield United vs AFC Bournemouth Preview

Background: Bournemouth go into their second consecutive visit to Brammall Lane on a decent run of form, consisting of three 1-1 draws, two of them at home, one away. Their opponents Sheffield United have had a good start to their second year in League One gathering 5 points from one win and two draws. Last year the teams met twice, with Sheffield United winning both fixtures 0-2 and 2-1 respectively.

Bournemouth News:

There is relatively no new injury news from The Cherries this week as no new injuries have been sustained since the game against Preston on Saturday. Long term absentees Charlie Sheringham, Wes Fogden and Stephen Purches remain out for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, new signing Frank Demouge also remains out for another 4-8 weeks, so Cherries fans will have to wait a while to see the new foreign superstar in the famous red & black stripes. Shaun MacDonald has not played since the opening game at Portsmouth, but he may unseat a someone to gain his place back in the starting eleven. Paul Groves has been tinkering with his tactics in the first four games this season, with Cherries fans witnessing multiple forward and central defence partnerships. Though Groves may continue to experiment, it is notable that Miles Addison and Lee Barnard have started every match so far. A win is much needed for the fans to gain confidence in the new boss, and the sackings of Andy Thorn and John Sheridan this week show that no manager is safe from the sack. The mystery will be the formation Groves chooses to start with, does he go with a defensive formation to play for a point and try to hit them on the counter attack? Or does he keep the trusted 4-4-2 formation and hope that the players will finally click.

Predicted Lineup:

--Jalal--

--Francis--Addison--Elphick--Daniels

--McDermott--O'Kane--Partington--Pugh

--Grabban--Barnard--

The Vistors:

Sheffield United have begun their second consecutive campaign in League One with a good start, though many fans may have hoped for more from the first 3 games. On the back of a heart breaking play-off final loss to Huddersfield, and the loss of start striker Ched Evans, Danny Wilson faced quite a challenging task to build a team that is capable of satisfying the Blades expectations. The Blades have made 6 summer signings, notably forward John Cofie on loan from Manchester United and defender Tony McMahon from Middlesborough. These players have been brought in to balance the loss of key players such as Lee Williamson and Matthew Lowton. Sheffield United will no doubt be full of confidence heading into their second home game of the season. 

Here's how the Blades lined up for their 1-1 away draw to Colchester on Tuesday.

--Howard--

--McMahon--MacGuire--Collins--Hill

--Quinn--Doyle--McDonald--McAllister

--Cofie--Blackman--


My Prediction:

I think Sheffield United will win this game 2-1, a brave Bournemouth defence will hold on to the draw until the last minute, when a last minute goal devastates the away team. It is a very difficult game without doubt, though we are still capable of coming home with a least a point. If luck swings in our favour, maybe Paul Groves gets his first win of the season.