Sheffield United will be looking for their first win away from Bramall Lane since Good Friday last season when they beat Tranmere Rovers by a single goal and since then have failed to pick up maximum points on their travels. They were defeated (1-0) by Milton Keynes Dons last Saturday, a defeat which took them to 17th in the table - but there was better news soon to follow.
The Blades penalty shoot-out victory over Scunthorpe United on Tuesday night in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy was overshadowed by the news that Prince Abdullah from Saudi Arabia is to invest over £200,000,000 into the club.
Blades boss David Weir is expected to be without keeper George Long (England U21s), Sean McGinty (Republic of Ireland U21s) and Jasper Johns (Northern Ireland U19s) have all been called up by there respective countries and are expected to be involved with them. New signings; Florent Cuvelier (Stoke City) and Harry Bunn (on loan from Manchester City) could feature in there first league encounter since signing last Monday.
However the former Everton coach will be without striker Shaun Miller (knee) who has returned to training but will require a further five weeks, whilst forward Febian Brandy will serve the first of a three match ban following his red card against MK Dons last Saturday. He missed the Johnstone's Paint Trophy fixture at Scunthorpe United and will also sit out games at Rotherham United and Carlisle United and be made available for selection at home to Preston on 21 September.
Possible Blades Eleven:
Howard
McMahon - Maguire - Collins - Hill
Flynn - Coady - Baxter - Doyle (c) - Murphy
Taylor
Rotherham United ended the 2012-13 season with five straight victories in League Two which combined with results elsewhere was enough to ensure promotion to League One after six years in the basement tier of the Football League. They continued there great form with four undefeated games prior to their meeting with Nott's County last weekend. They have however only won once, this a 2-1 win at Crawley Town.
They have claimed one win in a South Yorkshire Derby this season and will no doubt be looking to perform another scalp in front of there own fans, they where victorious in the League Cup - beating Sheffield Wednesday by two goals to one before bowing out (unrespectivly) at Aston Villa (0-3) ten days ago.
Millers boss Steve Evans will be without first team players Michael O'Connor (Northern Ireland) and Kárí Árnason (Iceland) who are both representing their countries on International duty respectivly. He is also likley to be without David Worrall (groin) and David Noble (ankle) through injury. Former Sheffield United and Derby County defender Claude Davis could return after recoving from injury.
Possible Millers Eleven:
Shearer
Bradley - Morgan - Davis - Skarz
Pringle - Milson - Agard - Frecklington
Nardiello - Revell
Blades-Mad Prediction: Rotherham United 1-1 Sheffield United