Premier League 2019-20, Sheffield United vs Newcastle United: Preview, predicted XI, team news and more 

Date: 5th December 2019

Venue: Bramall Lane

Newcastle United are set to visit Bramall Lane in Gameweek 15 after their dramatic 2-2 draw at home to champions Manchester City. Jonjo Shelvey was the hero for them last time out as he scored a stunner to snatch a point at the death for the Magpies.

Steve Bruce's side sits 14th on the table with 16 points. Surprisingly, out of their four wins, two have come against the top six sides--Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

Awaiting Newcastle at Bramall Lane would be Sheffield United, coming into the game on the back of three successive draws against Wolves, Manchester United and Tottenham. The Blades were leading in all these matches, but failed to capitalise on their advantage.

The Blades sit ninth on the table, highest among the promoted sides. Chris Wilder's team has exceeded expectations and has managed to gather points against every single big six team they have faced till now, barring Liverpool.

Sheffield United vs Newcastle United head-to-head

The two teams have faced each other a total of four times in the Premier League with both sides winning two apiece. Even at Bramall Lane, both teams have won one match each.

The last time the two sides met was on 7th April 2007 at Bramall Lane where Newcastle won 2-1. It was a Man Of The Match performance by James Milner, who provided two assists. The only common name from then and now among the two teams is Phil Jagielka.

Sheffield United form guide:- D-W-D-D-D

Newcastle United form guide:- D-W-W-L-D

Team news

Sheffield United

Sheffield United would consider themselves extremely grateful as they do not have any injuries or suspensions in their side. The Blades have a full squad at their disposal.

Chris Wilder is expected to start the same XI that fielded against Wolves

Injuries: None

Doubtful: None

Suspensions: None

Newcastle United

Allan Saint-Maximin, Andy Carrol and DeAndre Yedlin are doubts for the upcoming match, while long term absentees Jamaal Lascelles and Matt Ritchie are yet to return to the squad.

Although Yedlin is a doubt for the match, it seems like Steve Bruce would start Javier Manquillo over him as a busy December awaits.

Injuries: Lascelles, Ritchie

Doubtful: Saint-Maximin, Carrol, Yedlin

Suspensions: None

Predicted XI

Sheffield United predicted XI : (3-5-2) Dean Henderson; Jack O'Connell, John Egan, Chris Basham; Enda Stevens, John Fleck, Oliver Norwood, John Lundstram, George Baldock; David McGoldrick, Lys Mousset

Newcastle United predicted XI : (5-4-1) Martin Dubravka; Jetro Willems, Paul Dummet, Ciaran Clark, Federico Fernandez, Javier Manquillo; Allan Saint-Maximin, Jonjo Shelvey, Isaac Hayden, Miguel Almiron; Joelinton

Prediction

Both the teams have enjoyed favourable results over big teams recently. While the Blades have had a much more consistent season, the Magpies, on the other hand, have had a series of inconsistent performance marking their season.

Sheffield's biggest attacking threat comes from their in-form man Lys Mousset who has netted five goals in 11 appearances and a hattrick of assists against Burnley. While in defence, Dean Henderson ranks among the top keepers in the league, with five clean sheets to his name. The defensive partnership of Egan and Basham have also been responsible for the Blades' solid defence.

On the other side, Martin Dubravka stands tall making 52 saves, the third most in the season so far. Jonjo Shelvey since coming back to the starting XI has netted in two goals off four matches.

With the amount of defensive strength possessed by Sheffield United compared to Newcastle's lack of firepower in attack, it seems clear that he Blades are most likely to win this match.

Verdict: Sheffield United 2-0 Newcastle United