1–1 Full time Saturday 24 October

Our pick1–0Missed

Sheffield United vs Derby: Can the Rams Upset the Favourites?

Six points from eleven games and a goal difference of minus eleven: Derby arrive at Bramall Lane as one of the weakest sides in the Championship. Can they still trouble Sheffield United on Saturday?

📍 Bramall Lane

All Matchday 12 matches

Match report

Sheffield Utd and Derby drew 1-1 in Round 12 of the Championship. Derby took the lead in the 37th minute through Bobby Clark, with no assist recorded. Derby's Dion Sanderson was shown a red card in the 66th minute. Sheffield Utd equalised in the 79th minute, Patrick Bamford scoring with an assist from Romelle Donovan.

Sheffield Utd dominated the numbers, with 62% possession and 25 total shots to Derby's 11, including 10 on target to 4. Their expected goals (xG) were 2.55 against 1.15, and both sides had seven corners. The top-rated player was J. Widell Zetterström of Derby, with a rating of 8.1. Before kickoff, the PreviaXI model had Sheffield Utd winning 1-0, with 47% for a home win, 26% for a draw and 27% for an away win, so the 1-1 draw was the outcome

Goals

37'Bobby Clark · Derby
79'Patrick Bamford · Romelle Donovan · Sheffield Utd

Cards

17'Ryan Nyambe · Derby
50'Dion Sanderson · Derby
64'Liam Kitching · Sheffield Utd
66'Dion Sanderson · Derby
75'Sydie Peck · Sheffield Utd
90+4'Bobby Clark · Derby

Match stats

Sheffield UtdDerby

62%Possession38%

25Shots11

10Shots on target4

2.55Expected goals (xG)1.15

7Corners7

8Fouls17

2Offsides4

3Saves10

⭐ Top-rated player: J. Widell Zetterström (Derby) 8.1

Ratings and statistics: API-Football.

Confirmed lineups

Sheffield Utd · 4-2-3-1

1M. CooperG
8H. ChoudhuryD
5J. TangangaD
15L. KitchingD
14H. BurrowsD
27K. PhillipsM
4O. ArblasterM
19T. ChongM
9T. CannonM
22B. BreretonM
45P. BamfordF

Coach: Chris Wilder

Derby · 4-2-3-1

1J. Widell ZetterströmG
23J. WardD
24R. NyambeD
28D. SandersonD
26R. HedgesD
8B. ClarkM
4D. OzohM
10R. BrewsterM
11S. SzmodicsM
19H. MeisterM
9C. MorrisF

Coach: J. Eustace

Match facts

Recent form

Sheffield UtdLLWLW

DerbyLDDLL

Last 5 league games, latest on the right

Goals per game

·	Scored	Conceded
Sheffield Utd	1.4	1.3
Derby	0.8	1.8

League position

Pos	Team	P	GD	Pts
11	Sheffield Utd	11	+1	15
23	Derby	11	-11	6

Last meetings

2026Derby1-2Sheffield Utd
2025Sheffield Utd1-3Derby
2025Derby0-1Sheffield Utd
2024Sheffield Utd1-0Derby
2023Derby1-3Sheffield Utd

Absences

Sheffield Utd

OutF. Seriki · Knee Injury
OutJ. Shackleton · Health problems

Derby

OutP. Agyemang · Achilles Tendon Injury
OutE. Cashin · Inactive
OutM. Clarke · Calf Injury
OutC. Forsyth · Knee Injury
OutS. Langas · Injury
OutD. Murkin · Hamstring Injury
OutC. Taylor · Injury
OutJ. Widell Zetterstrom · Knee Injury
DoubtfulM. Johnston · Inactive

PreviaXI model

Sheffield Utd47%Draw26%Derby27%

Predicted score: 1-0
Expected goals (model): 1.60 – 1.13
Double chance: 12 · 74%1X 73% · X2 53%
Over 2.5 goals: 51%
Both teams score: 55%
Expected corners: 11.06.4 – 4.6 · Over 9.5: 65%
Expected cards: 4.61.6 – 3.0 · Over 3.5: 66%

Statistical model based on expected goals (xG), results and match statistics from the last two seasons. For information only. How our model works →

Derby have six points from eleven games and a goal difference of minus eleven. They sit 23rd of 24 in the Championship, and only a handful of clubs in the division have a worse record. Sheffield United, in 11th with 15 points, are comfortably clear of the bottom and firmly in the mid-table conversation. On paper, this is a confident home side against a club fighting to stay afloat.

Sheffield’s steadier hand

Sheffield’s season has been far more stable. Their last five matches have produced seven goals scored and six conceded, and their overall run reads DDDWLWLLWLW, with three draws to open the campaign before a mixed spell of results. Derby have struggled to match that consistency. They have scored only four goals in their last five games while conceding nine, and their away form of LDLWLLLDDLL shows how rarely they have taken points on the road.

Derby’s recent bite

History offers Derby some encouragement. Sheffield have won three of the last four league meetings, but the Rams have shown they can hurt the Blades. In November, Derby won 3-1 at Bramall Lane, and the sides met again in May, when Sheffield took a 2-1 win at Derby’s ground. Derby have the ability to be dangerous, but they need to convert chances consistently.

Team news: Derby’s depleted squad

Sheffield have fewer problems. Forward F. Seriki is out with a knee injury, and J. Shackleton is unavailable with health problems. Derby are far more badly hit. P. Agyemang (Achilles), C. Forsyth (knee), D. Murkin (hamstring), M. Clarke (calf), S. Langas, C. Taylor and J. Widell Zetterstrom are all missing, while E. Cashin is unavailable. M. Johnston is a doubt. Eight absences at a club already struggling for results is a heavy burden.

Our prediction

PreviaXI’s model favours Sheffield United, and the football logic supports it. The hosts have the more reliable attack and the stronger home record, and Derby’s injury list limits their options in both midfield and attack. Derby are capable of frustrating opponents, though, and this has the feel of a tight, cagey contest where one goal could settle it. Sheffield United should edge it.

Sheffield United 1-0 Derby

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