The Latics have never won this prestigious competition. The furthest they have reached to date is the Semi-Finals of three occasions. In 1913 they lost by a single goal to Aston Villa at Ewood Park and had to wait another 77 years until they reached the same stage again. In 1990, as a Second Division side, they forced Manchester United into a replay, drawing the first game 3-3 after extra-time which had seen former Blades Bryan Robson and Erl Barrett score for both sides. Both fixtures were played at Maine Road with the Red Devils, again the need for extra-time winning the replay by two goals to one.
In 1994, along with Sheffield United, the Latics were relegated from the Premier League but whilst there league form was nothing to get excited about, their run in the FA Cup gave the home faithful something to cheer about. Starting at the Third Round stage they saw off Derby County (2-1), Stoke City (1-0) in a replay, after drawing the initial fixture 0-0, Barnsley (1-0) and Bolton Wanderers (1-0) before facing Manchester United at Wembley. Following another 1-1 extra-time draw a replay at Maine Road was played out with Robson again on the score-sheet in a rather convincing 4-1 victory for Alex Ferguson's side.
Oldham Athletic's passage into Round 2 was less than straight forward in comparison to that of Sheffield United. The Latics had drawn League Two side Mansfield Town in their First Round Proper fixture, firstly drawing 0-0 at Field Mill before two goals from former Blades Danny Philliskirk and Dominic Poleon sealed a 2-0 win in the replay.
Points may not be at stake in this weekend's bout of fixtures but in League One, Oldham Athletic are languishing in the relegation zone having accumilated 19 points from the first 20 games played. Married with the Blades score draw at Barnsley and the Latics 1-0 defeat at Crewe Alexandra last saturday, it moved the latter off the foot of the table with the Tykes taking their place.
Adam King's first-half strike secured Crewe an important 1-0 win over fellow strugglers Oldham and moved them off the bottom of the League One table. The on-loan Swansea midfielder's 21st-minute effort was the difference between the sides in a scrappy affair at Gresty Road. Brian Wilson wasted a gilt-edged chance to give Oldham - who suffered a third consecutive defeat - an early lead when he headed Mark Yeates' free-kick wide from just six yards out.
Oldham bombarded the home box with former Crewe striker Michael Higdon the main outlet for David Dunn's side. But the Railwaymen also took the direct route as Marcus Haber directed Semi Ajayi's free-kick across the box and King despatched the ball into the top corner with a crisp volley for his fifth of the season. Loan striker Ryan Lowe - who made a swift impact by netting Crewe's midweek winner at Colchester - clipped an effort past the far post at the end of a slick four-man move.
After the restart James Jones went close for Crewe twice. Oldham threw on Jake Cassidy and Dominic Poleon but could not break down Crewe's stubborn defence. Substitute Ryan Wintle lifted his shot over with the chance to make the game safe in the closing minutes.
The Latics are unlikely to be without striker Michael Higdon, currently on loan from Sheffield United he is unlikely to be granted permission to play, whilst Ritchie Wellens, a self-confessed Blades, may start after joining on loan from Doncaster Rovers.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 2 Oldham Athletic 1
