After a fortnight's break due to International football the Blades return to action where they face Lancashire side Rochdale, where they hope to continue their 100% win record. United left the break having gone four matches unbeaten. This included the penalty shoot-out win over West Ham United in the League Cup and the 1-1 draw at Preston North End two weeks ago.
Jose Baxter earned Sheffield United a point at Preston as he cancelled out Andy Little's early strike in their 1-1 draw. Little put the hosts ahead after just 11 minutes but Preston were pegged back before half time as Baxter's deflected effort found the back of the net, Both teams had chances to grab a winner after the break but they could not be separated as the points were shared at Deepdale. Michael Higdon nearly put Sheffield United ahead after a bright start but his header from Jamal Campbell-Ryce's cross was well saved by Jamie Jones.
And the visitors then found themselves behind when Little's cross-cum-shot found the bottom right corner. However they couldn't hold the lead at half-time as Baxter levelled four minutes before the break, a deflection leaving Jamie Jones with no chance in Preston's goal. Jack King was denied a goal by a Mark Howard goalline clearance before Higdon was similarly left disappointed at the other end by Scott Wiseman, before Paul Gallagher twice went close for the hosts late on.
Midfielder James Wallace is looking to make his starting debut in United colours after shaking off a groin problem. Meanwhile Stefan Scougall (knee) and Florent Cuvelier (ligaments) have both returned to training but won't feature this weekend.
Blades boss Nigel Clough is likely to field Chris Basham to face his former team. He joined the Spotland side on loan from Bolton Wanderers in February 2008 and stayed with the Dale until May. He made his debut in a 4-2 home defeat to Hereford United and went onto make 5 (+8) appearances before returning to the Reebok Stadium.
Rochdale, who were promoted from League Two last season currently lay 12th in the League One table. With a game in hand and hold a slightly better goal difference are just three places above the Blades. They climbed out of the bottom four relegation zone last weekend with a four-nil demolishion of Crawley Town.
Peter Vincenti's second-half brace sent Rochdale cruising to their second league win of the season in a comfortable 4-0 victory at Crawley. Matty Done's first-half strike put Dale ahead before Vincenti and substitute Calvin Andrew sealed back-to-back league and cup away wins for Keith Hill's men. Crawley have now lost four consecutive Sky Bet League One matches, but Matt Harrold, making his first league start, should have put the home side ahead in the eighth minute with a header from six yards following Jimmy Smith's corner.
Dale broke the deadlock two minutes later when Done took advantage of slack Crawley defending and produced a tremendous left-footed strike from the edge of the box that curled past goalkeeper Brian Jensen. Putting the ball in the net has been a problem for the Reds in the league so far this season - they have now scored just three goals in their opening six league matches. Crawley responded well to going behind however, and Rochdale goalkeeper Conrad Logan, on loan from Leicester, produced a fingertip save to keep out Harrold's powerful header shortly before the break. But Vincenti's 54th-minute strike put the away side two goals ahead and the 28-year-old sealed victory with a header 12 minutes later. Dale substitute Andrew added a fourth in the 75th minute following neat build-up play by the outstanding Done.
The Dale will be looking to see skipper Ollie Lancashire (groin) push for a re-start after he returned from injury recently - otherwise they have no fresh injury concerns.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 3 Rochdale 0
Match Officials
Referee: Gary Sutton
Assistants: Stephen Wade and Robert Whitton
Fourth Official Iain Siddall
United we stand, United we follow!