This fixturte was postoned due to the severe whether conditions, however we have placed the origional match preview online despite the postponment.
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The Blades were in FA Cup action last Sunday against fellow Championship outfit Queens Park Rangers at Bramall Lane, ending 1-1. Stephen Quinn hit his shot against the bar early on before at the other end the visitors snatched the lead via on-loan striker Jay Simpson (39 minutes), slipping home Wayne Routledge's low cross.
This lead didn't last long and the game was forced into a replay when into first half stoppage time Richard Cresswell (45) headed home Henri Camara's cross; however the game was almost won in the second half when Ched Evans 30 yard free-kick rattled the crossbar with his powerful shot. The winners of this replay fixture at Loftus Road next Tuesday night will win a place in round four to face Bolton Wanderers.
The Blades faced Watford in what was the Blades first home fixture of the new 2009/10 Championship season; the home side won comfortably two-nil with goals from Jamie Ward (12) and Ched Evans (63), whilst David Cotterill strummed the post later on.
Sheffield United has completed the full undisclosed transfer of striker Richard Cresswell from Stoke City this week and is expected to make his debut at Vicarage Road this weekend. The forward has of course been on loan from the Potters for three months; making his debut as a substitute in the 3-3 home draw with Ipswich Town late September 2009 and to date has made 9 (+1) appearances and netted three goals.
Blades boss Kevin Blackwell could turn to three former Hornets in the form of; defender Jordan Stewart, forward Darius Henderson and midfielder Lee Williamson.
Stewart signed for the Hornets in a £125,000 deal from Leicester City in July 2005; making his debut in a 2-1 home defeat to Preston North End (Darius Henderson the Watford scorer) and played in the Play-Off Final victory (3-0) over Leeds United at the end of that season before joining Derby County in May 2008. During his time at Vicarage Road he made 104 (+13) appearances and scored just twice.
Meanwhile Williamson made his £500,000 move from Watford this season was snapped up (along with Will Hoskins) from Rotherham United in January 2007; making his debut as a substitute in a 4-0 defeat at Manchester United. He made 64 (+14) appearances and scored five goals before leaving the Vic.
Henderson made a move from Watford (for £2,000,000) in July 2008 after three years at the Hertfordshire club. He had originally been signed from Swindon Town in a £450,000 deal. In his first season with the club he helped them win promotion to the Premier League via the back-door; netting a penalty in their 3-0 win over Leeds United in the Championship Play-Off Final in Cardiff. He left
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the club having made 96 (+21) appearances and scored 31 goals.
Last Blades Line-Up: Mark Bunn, Derek Geary, Chris Morgan, Matthew Kilgallon, Andy Taylor, Jamie Ward, Nick Montgomery, James Harper, Stephen Quinn, Darius Hernderson, Ched Evans.
Watford were handed a football lesson by one of the Country's top four teams when they were duly 'hammered' at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea recorded a 5-0 victory last weekend; Daniel Sturridge (5 & 68) netted twice for the Blues, as did Florent Malouda (22) and Frank Lampard (64); whilst John Eustace (15) put through his own net! Chelsea travel to Preston North End who claimed a 7-0 home win over Colchester United in the next round.
On-Loan midfielder Henri Lansbury (from Arsenal) picked up his fifth booking of the season and will be suspended for this weekend's encounter against Sheffield United. The Gunner has made quite an impressive impact in the team to date; making 17 (+4) appearances and scoring twice in a 4-1 home victory over Sheffield Wednesday.
The Hornets may have to make do without midfielder Ross Jenkins (back) is also unavailable whilst defender Craig Cathcart (knee) has returned to parent club Manchester United for surgery.
Hornet's manager Malky Mackay could turn to former Blades Jon Harley and John-Joe O'Toole (currently on-loan at Colchester United) in their quest for three points at Bramall Lane tomorrow.
Defender Harley had three spells at the Lane having featured twice on loan before making a full (and free) transfer from Fulham in June 2004, in all (including loan spells) the former Chelsea defender made 71 (+1) starts and scored on three occasions. He left United in August 2005 and joined Lancastrian outfit Burnley.
Midfielder O'Toole spent time at the Lane last season on loan; joining in February 2009 until the remainder of the season's end. He made his Blades debut in as a substitute in a 2-1 win at Coventry City and went onto make 5 (+4) appearances whilst scoring once in a 2-1 home win over Barnsley.
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Possible Hornets Line-Up: Scott Loach, Adrian Mariappa, Jay DeMerit, Lloyd Doyley, Lee Hodson, Scott Severin, Michael Bryan, Don Crowie, Tom Cleverley, John Eustace, Danny Graham.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Watford 0-1 Sheffield United
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Do you think you can Beat The Manager? Why not join our very own Prediction League and cast your predictions on the Blades forthcoming Championship fixtures. The league runs all season long and is a fantastic tool to show how you are as a Blade and as a football fan, so come along and play along!!!
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:: Statistics ::
For Head to Head statistics please click here.
Last 10 Games... Home & Away
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Season
|
Date
|
Home
|
Score
|
Away
|
Competition
|
|
2008/2009
|
Sat 17 Jan
|
Watford
|
|
Sheff. Utd.
|
Championship
|
|
|
Sat 27 Sep
|
Sheff. Utd.
|
|
Watford
|
Championship
|
|
2007/2008
|
Tue 29 Jan
|
Sheff. Utd.
|
|
Watford
|
Championship
|
|
|
Sat 18 Aug
|
Watford
|
|
Sheff. Utd.
|
Championship
|
|
2006/2007
|
Sat 28 Apr
|
Sheff. Utd.
|
|
Watford
|
Premiership
|
|
|
Tue 28 Nov
|
Watford
|
|
Sheff. Utd.
|
Premiership
|
|
2005/2006
|
Mon 06 Feb
|
Sheff. Utd.
|
|
Watford
|
Championship
|
|
|
Sat 17 Sep
|
Watford
|
|
Sheff. Utd.
|
Championship
|
|
2004/2005
|
Sat 23 Apr
|
Watford
|
|
Sheff. Utd.
|
Championship
|
|
|
Sat 13 Nov
|
Sheff. Utd.
|
|
Watford
|
Championship
|
|
Head to Head Statistics...
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Goals
|
|||||
|
Venue
|
Played
|
Won
|
Drawn
|
Lost
|
For
|
Against
|
|
Home
|
19
|
8
|
4
|
7
|
32
|
20
|
|
Away
|
20
|
5
|
10
|
5
|
24
|
21
|
|
Total
|
39
|
13
|
14
|
12
|
56
|
41
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* Statistics correct up to and including 01/08/2009
:: Match Officials ::
Referee: K. Hill
Assistants: M. Rowley & K. Yeo
Fourth Official: A. Laver