Crystal Palace drew 1-1 in their meeting with Coventry City in midweek. Stuart Green (26) had put the home side ahead but Leon Best (87) levelled for the Sky Blues upon Iain Dowie's return as manager to his former club.
The Eagles are likely to be without Ben Watson (ankle) and former Sheffield United midfielder Paul Ifill (ankle) who are both injured. Ifill was sighed by Neil Warnock in the summer of 2005 from Millwall and made an immediate impact; netting on his debut in a 4-1 opening day victory over Leicester City as the Blades won promotion to the Premiership.
He left Bramall Lane in January 2007 and joined Londoners Crystal Palace; during his time at the Lane he made 34 (+11) appearances whilst he netted nine goals.
Manager Peter Taylor could hand debuts to striker Paul Dickov and midfielder Besian Idrizaj who have yet to make an appearance for the club since they signed from Manchester City and Liverpool on loan. The duo were unused substitutes during the clubs 1-1 draw with City.
Possible Eagles Line-Up: Julian Speroni, Tony Craig, Mark Hudson, Leon Cort, Danny Butterfield, Besian Idrizaj, Tom Soares, Stuart Green, Carl Fletcher, James Scowcroft, Dougie Freedman.
The Blades travelled to Bloomfield Road and earned their first point of the season on their travels; but it took a bizarre goal at the death the seal the point.
Sheffield United had originally took the lead in this game when James Beattie (13) headed home within the first 15 minutes of the game; whilst at the other end Stephen Crainey (45) converted his free-kick from the edge of the area to level the scores.
In the second half Blackpool looked to have secured the win when Ben Burgess (87) beat his marked to head home but James Beattie was to have the last laugh when his long range shot (89) crept under the arms of the goalkeeper and into the goal.
Republic of Ireland international defender Derek Geary will serve the last of his three match suspension against the Eagles after receiving a straight red card on 1 September at Scunthorpe United in the 3-2 defeat - he will be available to feature in the Carling Cup next Tuesday against Morecambe.
Meanwhile Blades boss Bryan Robson is likely to hand a first team league debuts to defender Gary Cahill and midfielder David Carney. Cahill, 21 signed on a three month loan deal from Premier League outfit Aston Villa in midweek whilst Carney, an Australian international was signed from Sydney FC in the summer and has yet to start a Championship match.
Predicted Blades Line-Up: Paddy Kenny, Leigh Bromby, Chris Morgan, Gary Cahill, Matthew Kilgallon, David Carney, Michael Tonge, Alan Quinn, Chris Armstrong, James Beattie, Jonathan Stead.
:: Man in the Middle ::
Match Referee: K. Friend
Assistants: M. McCoy & G. Scott
Fourth Official: D.Sheldrake
:: Last Five Meetings ::
at Selhurst Park...
- 05.11.2005 - Palace 2-3 Blades
- 26.08.2003 - Palace 1-2 Blades
- 05.04.2003 - Palace 2-2 Blades
- 23.02.2002 - Palace 0-1 Blades
- 23.09.2001 - Palace 0-1 Blades