The Hornets didn't feature in last Saturday's fixtures but had lost at Portsmouth the previous week. American defender Jay DeMerit had handed the visitors a 22 minute lead until Kanu levelled on 44. With the scores locked at 1-1 the Fratton Park faithful had to rely on a Tressor Lua Lua penalty one minute from time to seal the win.
Regular goalkeeper Ben Foster was forced to retire from the 2-1 defeat at half-time with a knee injury; thankfully Watford had a replacement shot stopper in the form of Richard Lee who should deputise between the sticks against the Blades.
Watford, at present have only two injury's on their casualty list with the exception of Foster. Striker Marlon King is out for a lengthily time (seven months) with a knee problem whilst former Blades target Clarke Carlisle is suffering from a thigh problem.
Possible Hornets Line-Up: Richard Lee, Jordan Stewart, Lloyd Doyley, Malky Mackay, Jay DeMerit, Matthew Spring, Gavin Mahon, Hameur Bouazza, Darius Henderson, Ashley Young, Tommy Smith.
Sheffield United travel to Vicarage Road on back of a 1-0 defeat to West Ham United. Hammers defender Hayden Mullins headed home the winner with 35 minutes gone; capitalizing on a well taken corner.
The visitors thought that they had equalized at the death after Mikele Leigertwood crossed into the box; the ball pinged around before Robert Kozluk slid the ball home. The players celebrated as did the 2,000+ visiting supporters (I included) before Mike Riley jugged a foul had been committed on keeper Robert Green.
United however have no more than five on their injury hit list; former Hornets striker Danny Webber and defender Chris Armstring are both out with a hamstring injury whilst David Sommeil is suffering with an ankle injury.
Midfield maestro Michael Tonge continues to be sidelined by that ankle injury and could just make the home fixture against Aston Villa on 11 December. Also out injured is striker Adi Akinbiyi (hamstring).
Good news did come from the defeat in London; full-back Leigh Bromby returned to the squad - all be it on the substitutes bench after recovering from his injury. He may make his comeback at Watford but after impressive displays we fear that Rob Kozluk may well keep his place.
Possible Blades Line-Up: Paddy Kenny, Robert Kozluk, Phil Jagielka, Claude Davis, Derek Geary, Mikele Leigertwood, Keith Gillespie, Nick Montgomery, Nicky Law, Alan Quinn, Rob Hulse.
Man in the Middle: Martin Atkinson (West Yorkshire)
This is referee Mark Atkinson's second match in charge this season having already officiated the 2-0 loss which Sheffield United suffered at home to Chelsea in October.
- 19.03.2005 - Blades 2-1 Burnley
- 28.10.2006 - Blades 0-2 Chelsea
Blades-Mad Prediction: Watford 1-2 Sheffield United