The Trotters by passed their way into the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 4-0 victory over League Two side Lincoln City at the Reebok Stadium; a Moses Swaibu (49 minutes) opened the scoring early in the second half whilst further goals from Chung-Yong Lee (51), Gary Cahill (83) and Mark Davies (90).
In a bizarre twist of fate the Wanderers where meant to play Arsenal twice in the space of four days - although fault by their own admission as the game last Wednesday night at the Emirates Stadium was a re-arranged fixture.
The London club came out worthy winners in both games but had a scare on Wednesday night when the visitors took a surprised two goal lead. Cesc Fabregas (28) and substitute Perez Fran Merida (78) had given them a two-nil victory at the Reebok Stadium last Sunday but in midweek goals from Gary Cahill (7) and a Matt Taylor (28) penalty gave the visitors an unexpected 2-0 lead at the Emirates.
However Arsenal hit back in formidable style with Tomas Rosicky (43) before the break which was followed by a Cesc Fabregas (52) leveller - defender Thomas Vermaelen (65) added a third and And Andrey Arshavin (85) completed the 4-2 victory.
Bolton boss Owen Coyle is expected to field a team without Sean Davis (knee) and Joey O'Brien (knee), who are both sidelined through injuries. Meanwhile defender Danny Shittu is away representing Nigeria in the African Cup of Nations.
The Lancashire club are likely to field forward Kevin Davies and defender Gary Cahill to play against their former club.
Davies was on the Blades books as a youngster but failed to make the grade in his youthful years and in April 1994 was allowed to leave without making any professional appearances and join Chesterfield where he had much success. He also featured for Southampton (twice), Blackburn Rovers and Millwall (loan).
Cahill came to the Blades on loan from Aston Villa during the 2007/08 season under Bryan Robson, he made his debut in a 3-2 defeat at Crystal Palace and went onto to make sixteen appearances (+0) for the club and netted twice in away games at Stoke City (won 1-0) and Charlton Athletic (won 3-0).
Possible Totters Line-Up: Jussi Jaaskelainen, Paul Robinson, Gary Cahill, Zat Knight, Gretar Steinsson, Fabrice Mumamba, Matt Taylor, Mark Davies, Tamir Cohen, Chung-Yong Lee, Kevin Davies
The Blades battled through into the fourth round of the FA Cup and were forced to a replay after they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Queens Park Rangers. The replay looked to be a foregone conclusion when Richard Cresswell (70) netted for the third time against the R's - it was also there third goal of the game, taking them into a three goal lead after Lee Williamson (19) and Jamie Ward (68) had found the back of the net.
But not to be out done the home side hit back at Loftus Road with Akos Buzsaky (71) converting from the penalty spot after Derek Geary was judged to hand ball in the area, and with two minutes left Damion Stewart (88) headed home but the visitors hung on until the end.
Blades boss Kevin Blackwell could include strikers Jamie Ward and Darius Henderson who have both been included amongst the substitute's bench for the previous two fixtures and may be fit enough following injury to make a start - both have netted 16 goals between themselves.
Though he is unlikely to take to the field at the Reebok Stadium; Gary Speed (player/coach) joined the Blades from the Trotters in January 2008 and made his debut in a boring 0-0 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers on New Year's Day. He had made 130 (+9) appearances and scored 14 goals having signed from Newcastle United in July 2004.
His last game for the Blades (likely to be the last of his career, sadly!) was against Wolves at Bramall Lane on 25 November 2008 where he left the field of play with a back injury. He has made 40 (+0) appearances for United, scoring six times.
Possible Blades Line-Up: Mark Bunn, Kyle Walker, Chris Morgan, Marcel Siep, Andy Taylor, Jamie Ward, Nick Montgomery, James Harper, Lee Williamson, Stephen Quinn, Richard Cresswell.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Bolton Wanderers 0-0 Sheffield United
:: Statistics ::
For Head to Head statistics please click here.
Last 10 Games... Home & Away
2007/2008 | Sat 05 Jan | Bolton Wdrs. | 0 - 1 | Sheff. Utd. | F.A. Cup |
2006/2007 | Sat 31 Mar | Bolton Wdrs. | 1 - 0 | Sheff. Utd. | Premiership |
Sat 11 Nov | Sheff. Utd. | 2 - 2 | Bolton Wdrs. | Premiership | |
2000/2001 | Sun 06 May | Bolton Wdrs. | 1 - 1 | Sheff. Utd. | League Division One |
Sat 25 Nov | Sheff. Utd. | 1 - 0 | Bolton Wdrs. | League Division One | |
1999/2000 | Tue 21 Mar | Bolton Wdrs. | 2 - 0 | Sheff. Utd. | League Division One |
Sun 14 Nov | Sheff. Utd. | 1 - 2 | Bolton Wdrs. | League Division One | |
1998/1999 | Sat 16 Jan | Sheff. Utd. | 1 - 2 | Bolton Wdrs. | League Division One |
Sat 29 Aug | Bolton Wdrs. | 2 - 2 | Sheff. Utd. | League Division One | |
1996/1997 | Sat 15 Feb | Bolton Wdrs. | 2 - 2 | Sheff. Utd. | League Division One |