Sheffield United must avoid doing something under Chris Wilder they have never done before vs Lincoln
Five talking points ahead of Sheffield United’s Championship clash with Lincoln City at Bramall Lane on Saturday afternoon.
Sheffield United will be targeting a return to winning ways when they welcome Lincoln City to Bramall Lane this afternoon.
The Blades, who last faced the Imps in a league game in 1984, went into the extended international break on the back of three successive defeats in league and cup after losing 2-1 to Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium.
Having lost four of their last five games before the break, the Blades will be determined to get back on track and climb the Championship table. Chris Wilder’s side currently sit 18th after their first eight matches.
Ahead of the Imps’ visit, here are five pre-match talking points:
Key figures could return
Hosting his pre-match press conference on Friday morning, Blades boss Wilder confirmed that he could welcome some previously injured players back into the squad this afternoon. Wilder confirmed after the defeat at Stoke almost three weeks ago that the likes of Femi Seriki, Sam McCallum, Harrison Burrows and Ryan Oné could return on the other side of the international break.
“Hopefully, we'll have the full quartet of players back for the Lincoln game," the Blades chief said. "I'm absolutely certain three out of the four will be available, which is good.”
Wilder refused to offer any names, but the fact three of the four aforementioned players could return against the Imps will offer a much-needed boost. United have been stretched in key areas in recent weeks, not least at full-back, meaning the prospect of Seriki, McCallum and Burrows being back in the mix will offer Wilder a helping hand.
Seriki has not played since August, likewise Burrows, while McCallum missed the defeats to Fleetwood Town and Stoke prior to the international break after being on the receiving end of what Wilder described as an “unbelievable whack” in the 1-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Who starts in midfield?
Although United have lacked creativity so far this season, they are not short of options in midfield. Following the returns of Hamza Choudhury and Kalvin Phillips during the summer, Wilder is spoilt for choice in the engine room.
Oliver Arblaster, Joe Rothwell, Jaïro Riedewald, Sydie Peck, Choudhury and Phillips are all capable of playing in midfield, meaning Wilder often faces a difficult task when selecting his preferred midfield partnership.
Peck, who featured for England Under-21s during the international break, has started each of United’s opening eight Championship matches this season and is therefore likely to retain his place. Meanwhile, Phillips, who scored against Stoke last time out, has started United’s last two Championship matches.
Peck has been United’s most creative player so far this season, having created 14 chances, while Phillips has made positive strides in terms of his fitness recently. With that in mind, Wilder may opt to start those two in the engine room once again.
Bramall Lane struggles
If United are going to overcome their stuttering start to the season and start climbing the Championship table, their home form is going to have to improve. The Blades have won just four points from their first four home games this season, winning one, drawing one and losing two.
The Blades suffered a second successive home defeat on their last S2 outing, being beaten 1-0 by Wolves. It means they have lost seven of their 16 Championship home games in 2026.
Having lost to Norwich City (1-3) and Wolves in their last two home games, United will be hoping to avoid losing three successive home league games outside the Premier League for the first time under Wilder.
Lincoln’s form
Although Lincoln signed for the first international break of the season on the back of a 2-1 defeat to high-flying Swansea City, they had previously been unbeaten in five league games, winning three and drawing two.
Each of those three victories were secured on the road after recording 1-0 triumphs over Bolton Wanderers, Preston North End and Bristol City respectively. As a result, they will arrive at Bramall Lane chasing a fourth consecutive away win.
Lincoln, with respect, have not offered much in the way of glitz and glamour so far this season. Instead, they have been defensively solid and effective from set pieces, meaning United could be forced to play a waiting game against last season’s League One champions.
Additionally, the Imps are happy to concede possession, meaning the onus will be on United to take the game to them.
Start fast
With Lincoln happy to surrender possession and sit deep, United will be expected to take the game to them and try to set their stall out early. However, the Blades have been slow starters this season, having scored the opening goal in just one of their first eight games.
With Lincoln having secured each of their three away wins through second-half goals, United will no doubt feel obliged to make a fast start and get their noses in front. The longer the score remains at 0-0, the more confident the Imps are likely to become.
United have not led at half-time in any of their opening four home games this season, meaning they may need to break that trend if they are to secure all three points. With the Imps happy to sit deep and wait for openings to emerge, United will have to remain mindful of the threat they pose.