The Blades have reacted in the best possible manor since their opening day defeat to Gillingham. After beating Morecambe in the League Cup, Nigel Adkins has been victorious over Chesterfield (2-0) and Peterborough United (3-1). As a result, the double league wins has seen United jump from lowly bottom in the table to eighth, and a win tomorrow over Blackpool would surely place them in the top six.
Striker Conor Sammon opened his Sheffield United account with a brace as they recorded a 3-1 success at Peterborough. The Irish frontman, who is on a season-long loan from Sky Bet Championship side Derby, struck twice as the Blades triumphed at London Road. Sammon broke the deadlock after 15 minutes when collecting a pass from strike partner Billy Sharp and rifling a fierce shot past Posh goalkeeper Ben Alnwick.
However, substitute Souleymane Coulibaly jumped off the bench to grab his first goal in English football as the hosts hit back just before the hour. The Ivorian striker tricked his way past a defender and guided a fine finish into the far corner in the 59th minute - only five minutes after he had been introduced.
But it was the Blades who finished strongly to secure victory and underline their status as title favourites. Sammon restored the advantage when steering a Che Adams cut-back past Alnwick with 18 minutes to go and Jose Baxter sealed victory five minutes from time when thundering in a shot after being picked out by substitute James Wallace's pass.
Blades boss Nigel Adkins will assess the fitness of duo Stefan Scougall and Neill Collins. Both were replaced by Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Kieran Wallace in the first half at London Road due to injury, and the pair may sit this weekend's game out. Meanwhile, Matt Done (collarbone), Ryan Flynn (Achilles) and Terry Kennedy (knee) remain sidelined through injury.
Sheffield United vs. Blackpool
FL League One @ Bramall Lane
Saturday, 22nd August 2015, Kick-Off: 3.00pm
Blackpool appear to be in dire-straights. It was only five years ago (on 14 August 2010), that Blackpool won 4-0 at Wigan Athletic, and topped the Premier League table. Despite a good start, the second half was terrible, they soon slid, and was duly relegated. Five years on, through bad ownership, the Tangerines, are now in the third tier and in danger of slipping into the basement of the Football League.
They allowed 21 players to leave during the summer, that includes those sold, and those released. They started the season off with a 2-2 draw at Colchester United before losing by two goals to nil at home to Rochdale, their Lancashire rivals. Last Tuesday night, at home to Burton Albion, who were last season two Divisions apart, were beaten 2-1 by Jimmy Floyd Hasslebaink's side.
Abdenasser El Khayati grabbed a second-half double to give Burton Albion a 2-1 win over Blackpool at Bloomfield Road - leaving the hosts with just one point from their opening three Sky Bet League One games. Jack Redshaw's first goal for the club had given Blackpool a half-time lead but El Khayati's calm finish and exquisite late free-kick gave Burton a second league win of the campaign.
Mark Cullen whistled an early effort over the bar but the recently-relegated Seasiders took the lead in the 25th minute with a superb team goal - Cullen and Henry Cameron combining before the latter crossed for Redshaw to tap in from four yards.
Burton started the second half brightly and Stuart Beavon poked an effort straight at Kyle Letheren but the pressure told in the 58th minute when El Khayati cut in from the left and placed the ball low into the far corner. It was the visitors who looked most likely to grab a winner and El Khayati did just that five minutes from time as the Dutchman's 20-yard free-kick went in off the crossbar.
The Seasiders saw Lloyd Jones return to the squad against Burton, after the defender took a knock against Rochdale, he is expected to continue in defence against the Blades. Former Barnsley keeper Kyle Letheren is expected to remain between the sticks in the absence of number one choice Colin Doyle (shoulder), who is side-lined through injury.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 3 Blackpool 1
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