The Trotters have had a dickey start to the season following the departure of Sam Allardyce who joined Newcastle United in the summer; whilst the appointment of Sammy Lee didn't last long and eventually made the appointment of Gary Megson.
Yet despite struggling the Lancashire outfit managed to scrape out a 1-0 victory over bottom of the table Derby County; but had to rely on a last minute goal by United target Stelios Giannakopoulos.
Megson is forced into one change ahead of their clash with the Blades veteran striker Kevin Davies is suspended - the Wanderers forward started his career at Bramall Lane in the youth team before being transferred to Chesterfield in the early 1990's.
Full-Back Nicky Hunt is pushing for a re-start after recovering from a broken foot, but otherwise a similar team that beat the Rams is expect to be in force, unless Nicolas Anelka makes a big money transfer to Chelsea which is expected to happen this month.
Possible Trotters Line-Up: Jussi Jaaskelinen, Abdoulaye Meite, Abdy O'Brien, Joey O'Brien, Ricardo Gardener, Danny Guthie, Ramos Ivan Campo, Kevin Nolan, Christian Willhelmsson, El Hadji Diouf, Nicolas Anelka.
Sheffield United could remain with a 4-5-1 formation which was displayed during the Blades 0-0 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers on new years day.
However Blades boss Bryan Robson will have to make do without trio Gary Spped (unavailable) and captain Gary Naysmith (shoulder) which he sustained at Molineux after falling foul of a Seyi Olofinjana challenge.
Speed, 38 has recently transferred to the Blades from Bolton on loan made his debut on New Years Day but hasn't been granted permission to play against his current club. The former Newcastle and Leeds United midfielder featured 130 (+9) times and scored fourteen goals since he signed in August 2004.
United will also be without Michael Tonge (suspended) with former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie likely to take his place.
Possible Blades Line-Up: Paddy Kenny, Phil Bardsley, Leigh Bromby, Matthew Kilgallon, Chris Armstrong, Keith Gillespie, Nick Montgomery, Lee Hendrie, Alan Quinn, Jonathan Stead, Rob Hulse.