The Blades come into this game after a seaside trip to Blackpool which ended in a terrible 3-0 defeat which in no doubt has upset the Blades fans; Marcel Seip (60), Jason Euell (69) and Charlie Adam (82) scored on what was a miserable night for United.
Blades boss Kevin Blackwell may find this encounter tough to bare, United have yet to lose a Championship fixture at the Lane this season, however they head into the game without a win in six games with displeasured fans eager to wheeled the axe.
The Blades will most certainly host Cardiff City without keeper Paddy Kenny who was handed a nine month ban in early September and this week saw his appeal turn down - he will return in April 2010; on loan shot stopper Mark Bunn (Blackburn Rovers) is expected to take his place.
United, however will also be without strikers Jamie Ward (leg), Nick Montgomery (ligaments), Gary Speed (back) and Gary Naysmith (knee).
Midfielder James Harper is likely to feature against his former club; he was on loan at the then Ninnian Park club from Arsenal in December 2000 and made his Football League debut in a 6-1 home win over Exeter City in League Two. He made just three appearances for the Bluebirds before returning to the Gunners, but in his final outing; a 4-1 victory over Plymouth he was one of three players to be shown a red card.
Possible Blades Line-Up: Mark Bunn, Kyle Walker, Chris Morgan, Matthew Kilgallon, Jordan Stewart, Glen Little, Stephen Quinn, James Harper, Keith Treacy, Ched Evans, Darius Henderson.
Cardiff City, 3rd in the Championship table recorded an astounding 2-0 victory over Coventry City at their new home ground last Tuesday night - Anthony Gerrard (5) and Peter Whittingham (60, penalty) were on the scorers list for this game.
Bluebirds boss Dave Jones heads to Bramall Lane with a fairly fit squad; former Barnsley and Leeds United midfielder Stephen McPhail required a neck operation but recovered in time to play in their victory over City - meanwhile star player Ross McCormack (hamstring) is sidelined through injury.
Possible Bluebirds Line-Up: David Marshall; Adam Matthews, Mark Hudson, Anthony Gerrard, Mark Kennedy, Chris Burke, Stephen McPhail, Joe Ledley, Peter Whittingham, Jay Bothroyd, Michael Chopra.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 1-1 Cardiff City
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:: Match Officials ::
Referee: T. kettle
Assistants: R. Clarke & P. Dermott
Fourth Official: D. Bond