Rams v Blades Preview

Last updated : 18 March 2011 By @blades_mad1889

United go into the game having drawn at home to Wimbledon in what was a very bad performance. David Connolly put the Dons ahead after twelve minutes but United somehow equalized with the last kick of the game through Carl Asaba.

Robert Ullathorne is out for United as he has to under go a double hernia operation. Iffy Onoura is defiantly out though he is back in light training, another striker who is not far off full fitness is Canadian International Paul Peschisolisdo.

The Blades likely line-up: 4-4-2; Paddy Kenny (GK), Robert Kozluk (RB), Shaun Murphy (CB), Robert Page (CB), Steve Yates (LB), Jon-Paul McGovern (RM), Phil Jagielka (CM), Michael Brown (CM), Michael Tonge (LM), Michael Boulding (RF), Carl Asaba (LF).

The Rams last game they played away at the New Den, Millwall won 3-0 as Dennis Wise scored just before half time and then Harris finished them off when scoring a penalty in 81 minute and then a second in 90 minute.

Derby could have deadly striker Malcolm Christie and Chris Riggott as both are 50/50 on whether they will start or not. After suspensions ex-Toon player Robert Lee will be back as will Paul Boertein, these two are likely to start.

Definite injury's are Ravanelli, Craig Burley, Simo Valakari (Finish

International) and ex-Belgian International Branko Struper and these will not play.

Rams likely line-up: Poom, Evatt, Riggott, Higginbotham, Barton,

 

Bolder, Kinkladze, Murray, Jackson, McLeod, Morris.

The last time these two clubs met was at Derby County's old ground, Baseball Ground during 1995/96 season where the Rams ran away with the game winning 4-2. Nathan Blake and Carl Veart scored for United.

Prediction: This will be a tough test for United as they start their first game out of two in East Midlands (they play Nottingham Forest on Saturday).

I think that United will end up drawing 1-1 which will be a good result against a difficult side.