Sheffield United need to do something for the first time in 66 years vs Stoke to get international break boost
Five talking points ahead of Sheffield United’s clash with Stoke City on Saturday in the Championship.
Sheffield United will be hoping to sign off for the international break with three points when they face Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium at Saturday lunchtime.
The Blades, who have won each of the last five meetings between the two clubs, will be keen to get back on track after Wednesday night’s shock 1-0 defeat to Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup marked a second defeat in a row.
United have experienced an indifferent start to the season, winning four, drawing three and losing three of their first ten matches across all competitions, meaning they are determined to try to find some consistency.
Ahead of the Blades’ trip to Staffordshire this weekend, here are five pre-match talking points:
Changes guaranteed
Having made seven changes for the trip to Fleetwood following the weekend’s defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Blades manager Chris Wilder is expected to make several changes for the trip to Stoke. After criticising the schedule ahead of the clash with the League Two side, it was no surprise to see Wilder shuffle his pack.
However, the manner of the performance against Fleetwood taught Wilder plenty, meaning he is expected to rotate his team again at the bet365 Stadium, with the likes of Liam Kitching, Kalvin Phillips, who was not included in the matchday squad on Wednesday evening, Sydie Peck, Ben Brereton Díaz and Patrick Bamford all queuing up for recalls.
Wilder, following the defeat at Fleetwood, spoke about finding out which players he can and cannot trust. His starting XI at the bet365 Stadium could therefore be quite telling.
Under pressure
With a three-week international break imminent, the last thing United need is to head into it on the back of another disappointing result. Their midweek defeat to Fleetwood marked a second successive loss and a third in their last four matches, meaning an element of pressure is starting to creep in.
United’s travelling contingent of away supporters made their feelings known following the full-time whistle at Fleetwood, amid the underwhelming nature of the result and performance. Despite being edged out by Wolves late on, though, there was plenty to like about United’s display.
But having produced such an underwhelming showing on the Fylde Coast on Wednesday night, United’s players will be under pressure to deliver a strong reaction. Anything less will only generate further unrest and concern among the supporters.
However, if they deliver another uninspiring showing that leads to a third defeat in their last four Championship outings, the mood is going to be gloomy heading into a three-week hiatus.
United’s impressive Potters record
With the Blades in such desperate need of a positive result to lift some of the gloom, it might be a good omen for them that they are facing Stoke this weekend. As already documented, Wilder’s troops have won each of the last five meetings between the two clubs, scoring 13 goals and conceding only two.
After doing the double over the Potters in 2024/25, United did the same again last season, winning 4-0 at Bramall Lane before bringing 2025 to a close with a 2-1 victory at the bet365 Stadium.
Having won each of their last two visits to Staffordshire, United will be hoping to record a third successive away win over the Potters for the first time since April 1960. Either side of the summer, United are currently on a five-match unbeaten run away from home in the Championship.
They have taken five points from their first three away games this season after drawing 0-0 with Swansea City, equally sharing four goals with Cardiff City and beating Blackburn Rovers 2-1.
Stoke’s recent upturn
Had this fixture been pencilled in to take place before the end of August, United would almost certainly have gone into it as favourites to seal a third successive away win over Stoke. However, the Potters have performed like a different team during September.
After losing each of their first three Championship matches this season, pressure was mounting on manager Mark Robins. However, following their 4-1 defeat to Wolves on August 29, the Potters have responded with three wins and a draw in their last four matches, beating Norwich City (1-0), Charlton Athletic (4-0) and Watford (2-1), while drawing with Cardiff City (1-1).
Following the aforementioned defeat to Wolves, Robins switched to a three-at-the-back formation, and it has been central to his side’s recent upturn. Wing-backs Ben Johnson and Eric Bocat have been excellent in the last few games, as have midfielders Justin Devenny, Ethan Galbraith and Djibril Soumaré.
After beating Norwich and Charlton in their last two home games, the Potters are chasing a third successive league win on home soil for the first time in five years.
Soumaré reunion
Following the conclusion of his loan spell at Bramall Lane last season, it was not long before Soumaré was back in England and signing for Stoke on a permanent deal. The Potters signed the 23-year-old on a three-year contract in a deal that could eventually be worth £3.4 million.
He blew hot and cold during his time in S2, producing a mixed bag of performances in what was a competitive midfield department, but he has made a solid start to life in Staffordshire, establishing himself as a key player in Robins’ plans and starting six of the Potters’ first seven league games this term.
Stoke oversaw a major midfield rebuild during the summer, bringing in five new faces to strengthen that area of the squad, and Soumaré has been just as important as any other addition.
He made 27 appearances during his season-long loan spell with the Blades last season