Sheffield United and Fulham will meet on Sunday in an early season six-point match. The two rivals are propping up the Premier League table as neither side have picked up points this term.
The Blades are the lowest scoring team going into matchday 5. They scored just one goal which came in their matchday 4 loss to Arsenal. Manager Chris Wilder signed former Liverpool striker Rhian Brewster prior to matchday 4.
Brewster was not registered in time to play versus Arsenal. He will play versus Fulham and should start the game. Brewster is the first Premier League-quality striker Sheffield United have had since returning to the top flight in 2019.
Fulham have not been much better in the final third. They have scored three times while conceding 11 goals. They have the joint second-worst goals conceded record heading into the weekend.
Manager Scott Parker watched his side lose to nil three times this season already. All three of their goals scored occurred on matchday 2 against Leeds United. The game finished 4-3. Other than that, three-goal game, Fulham have been poor in the final third.
Sheffield United and Fulham last met in the EFL Championship in 2017-18. The Cottagers won both of those games by a combined score of 8-4.
Both teams are much different in 2020 than they were three seasons ago. Sheffield United are a far better defensive side while Fulham are not great in attack. Fulham are still EFL Championship quality, especially in defence.
Parker has three injuries he is sweating over. Midfielder Harrison Reed is likely to make the team. Fellow midfielder Mario Lemina is also likely to play on Sunday. Kenny Tete, on the other hand, is potentially set to miss the game through a calf/shin injury.
Wilder should start Brewster in attack and making that decision easier are injuries to the team’s forwards. David McGoldrick is likely to miss out with a groin issue, Lys Mousset is ruled out through a long-term issue, and Oliver Burke is a doubt currently with a knock.
Defenders John Egan and Jack O’Connell are both ruled out. Defender John Fleck is likely to return from a knock.
Sunday’s game between Sheffield United and Fulham should see two sides desperate for points cancel each other out. Brewster could get on the scoresheet against a poor defensive Fulham.
Sheffield United are having a sophomore slump and that should continue as the clubs end the day in a score draw.