Chris Wilder has a Sheffield United dilemma to try and solve vs Bristol City
Five talking points ahead of Sheffield United’s Championship clash against Bristol City at Ashton Gate on Saturday afternoon.
Sheffield United will be targeting a return to winning ways when they face Bristol City at Ashton Gate this afternoon.
United suffered a third defeat in their last four Championship outings on Wednesday evening, losing 3-2 to Portsmouth at Fratton Park. After fighting back from 2-0 down to level proceedings, the Blades, who had been reduced to ten men after having Hamza Choudhury sent off in the first half, United were undone with 89 minutes on the clock when Ebou Adams fired home a winner for the home side.
United boss Chris Wilder praised his side’s fighting spirit following their second-half performance at Fratton Park, acknowledging their efforts despite being down to ten men. However, he will be hoping to see his side return to South Yorkshire with three points on Saturday.
Ahead of the clash with Michael Skubala’s side, here are five key pre-match talking points:
Who starts at right wing-back?
Having seen Hamza Choudhury controversially sent off against Portsmouth, Wilder will be forced to make at least one change to his starting XI this afternoon. The Bangladesh international had been filling in at right-back since returning from Leicester City during the summer amid Femi Seriki’s unavailability.
Seriki is expected to miss out again this afternoon, as is Matt Doherty, meaning Wilder could be left scratching his head when it comes to deciding who should start on the right. United have deployed a back four in each of their last two outings, but they have also used a three-at-the-back formation at various points this season.
With no specialist right-back expected to be available this afternoon, Wilder could revert to a back three and task one of his wide players with operating as a right wing-back. Romelle Donovan, who has missed out on a starting berth in each of United’s last four Championship matches, could be considered for the role, as could Tahith Chong.
The latter has been in good form since the international break, scoring a goal and registering an assist in United’s last two outings. As a result, he could be viewed as the most natural option to start on the right. However, making a third start in the space of a week could put a strain on Chong’s fitness amid the fact he has only recently returned from an injury lay-off.
Stick or twist in attack?
On another day, both Patrick Bamford and Tom Cannon might have got themselves on the scoresheet in midweek. Bamford went close in the first half before Cannon headed home United’s equaliser after the break.
Bamford was taken off at half-time against Pompey and replaced by centre-back Mark McGuinness. The change was made to strengthen United’s defensive numbers following Choudhury’s dismissal.
Bamford and Cannon have started the last two matches alongside each other up front, meaning it will be interesting to see whether they link up again at Ashton Gate. However, the fact that Ryan Oné was left out against Pompey could indicate that he is set to play a role against the Robins.
Wilder confirmed on Thursday that Oné, who spent the second half of last season working under Bristol City boss Skubala on loan at Lincoln City, will be involved this afternoon. He has made just three substitute appearances so far this season because of an injury.
Robins’ home stutters
Following a transitional summer that featured the appointment of a new manager and saw a host of new players arrive, Bristol City’s start to the season was never likely to be seamless. As a result, their record of four wins, two draws and four defeats from their opening ten Championship matches is probably about what should have been expected.
After winning three of their first five league matches, the Robins have claimed just one victory in their last five, despite playing three of those games at home.
Having returned to winning ways on home soil before the international break with a 1-0 victory over Watford, the Robins suffered a 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers in midweek. Consequently, they head into the visit of the Blades without having won consecutive home games since January.
In 2026, the Robins have played 18 matches at home across all competitions, winning seven, drawing one and losing ten. If there is a weakness for United to try to exploit, it is the Robins’ inconsistent home form.
Be aware at set pieces
Although the Robins are still working to improve their home form, one strength they have quickly established under Skubala is the threat they pose from set pieces.
Including penalties, the Robins have scored seven goals from set-piece situations so far this season, with only West Ham United (nine) scoring more in the Championship.
Additionally, the Robins have scored four goals from corners this term, with only West Ham (six) managing more. Fortunately for United, they have been solid when it has come to defending set pieces, conceding just one goal from such situations so far this season.
Only the Robins, who have yet to concede a set-piece goal, have a better record than the Blades in this regard in the Championship this term.
Bamford’s Ashton Gate record
If he retains his place in the starting XI this afternoon, Bamford will be keen to add to the two goals he scored against Lincoln City last weekend. His brace against the Imps took his tally for the season across all competitions to five.
Bamford has enjoyed success against Bristol City in the past, scoring three goals in 11 career appearances against the Robins. Two of those goals came in his last three visits to Ashton Gate, with the striker finding the net for Leeds United in victories over the Robins in March and August 2019.
He also registered an assist in Leeds’ 1-0 win at Ashton Gate in February 2024, meaning he has been directly involved in three goals across his last three starts against the Robins away from home.