Sheffield United travel to London Road tonight to face Peterborough United where they hope to earn their first points of the season.
Following defeats to Bristol City and Coventry City the Blades head to Peterborough United tonight (kick-off: 7.30pm) in the search of three valuable points which will kick start their League One season.
Jim O'Brien was the hero for Coventry as his goal clinched the Sky Blues a 1-0 victory over Sheffield United at Sixfields. O'Brien's first goal for the club gave City their first win of the season and condemned United to back-to-back league defeats. The first real chance came for the visitors when Ben Davies' cross from the right was met by Michael Higdon in the six-yard-box and the striker's header forced an excellent point-blank save from home goalkeeper Ryan Allsop.
Allsop's opposite number Mark Howard was called into action soon after and his superb one-handed save kept out Danny Swanson's curling effort. City began to grow into the game and Jordan Clarke missed an excellent chance when well placed at the back post. The second-half was a tight affair, but the Sky Blues netted their deserved winner in the 76th minute. Ryan Haynes' cross from the left was met by O'Brien, who was left unmarked to head in via a deflection off Blades defender Bob Harris from six yards.
Blades boss Nigel Clough is expected to retain a injury free squad to face the Posh tonight. However, he will be without Belgian midfielder Florent Cuvelier (ligaments) through injury - he has previously played on loan (from Stoke City) for Peterborough, featuring as a playing substitute in a 3-2 victory over Watford in April 2013, this was his only appearance as a Posh player.
Peterborough United's start to the season has started with a 100% record, claiming victories over Rochdale (1-0) and Milton Keynes Dons (3-2) in dramatic fashion. Kyle Vassell climbed off the bench to become Peterborough's hero as they saw off fierce rivals MK Dons 3-2 in a thriller at London Road. Super-sub Vassell struck twice in the space of four minutes to earn victory for Darren Ferguson's side. He coolly steered in a Jon Taylor cut-back from close range after 81 minutes before beating Dons goalkeeper David Martin to an aerial duel following a Conor Washington pass four minutes later and tapping into an empty net.
The two teams had earlier exchanged strikes either side of the interval. Posh loanee Kenneth McEvoy grabbed the first goal of his career with a wickedly deflected shot in the final minute of the first period. But it was quickly cancelled out by Dele Alli just three minutes after the restart as he bundled home a rebound after a Will Grigg shot had been deflected into his path. Vassell then put Posh in command but a nervy finish was assured when Dons substitute Daniel Powell burst through to reduce their arrears in the 87th minute.
The Posh are likely to face the Blades without star defender Gaby Zakuani (hamstring) who is expected to be sidelined for several weeks after occurring his injury on the opening day of the season against Rochdale. Meanwhile Jon Taylor (knee) and Jack Baldwin (knee ligaments) are also sidelined.
United boss Darren Ferguson is likely to field midfielder Nathaniel Mendez-Laing to face his former club. He was signed on loan by Danny Wilson in August 2011 from Wolverhampton Wanderers, making his debut in a 1-1 draw at Hartlepool United in the League Cup (United winning 4-3 on penalties) and scored his only goal in a 4-0 win over Bury. Injury put paid to his time at Bramall Lane and he returned to Molineux having made 6 (+5) appearances and scored one goal.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Peterborough United 0 Sheffield United 1