Sheffield United will attempt to build on a positive start to the season when they host Southampton on Saturday. The Blades came from two goals down to claim a 2-2 draw at Chelsea prior to the international break and they have lost just once in their opening four games.
Chris Wilder’s men certainly seem to have enough about them to make a good fist of things in the Premier League.
But making Bramall Lane a fortress will be key to their hopes of avoiding an immediate return to the Championship.
This weekend’s meeting with Southampton is the perfect chance to respond to their 2-1 loss to Leicester last time out in South Yorkshire.
Wilder has a number of injury issues to deal with but he is hoping have a couple of attacking options back from minor problems.
Summer signing Callum Robinson was the hero at Stamford Bridge but he will need to come through a late fitness test, while David McGoldrick has also been struggling with fitness problems.
Midfielder John Fleck is also a doubt due to a hamstring injury.
Southampton have stuttered through the opening stages of the term and boast just four points from their opening four matches.
Back-to-back losses at the start of the term put Ralph Hasenhuttl under pressure but they have responded with a win at Brighton and a draw at home to Manchester United.
Winger Nathan Redmond is set to miss out again with an ankle injury, while left-back Kevin Danso is suspended.
But Hasenhuttl is boosted by the availability if Ryan Bertrand, Michael Obafemi and Mousse Djenepo.
Saturday’s clash will be the first Premier League meeting between the duo since they played out a goalless draw at Bramall Lane in March 1994.
The Blades have won seven of their nine top-flight fixtures when hosting Southampton.
