- Chris Wilder has implemented an organised and high-tempo system at Sheffield United since September 2025
- Sheffield United have won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five Championship matches
- Preston North End have won two, drawn two and lost one of their last five Championship contests
Blades have some bite to them under Wilder
Sheffield United sit in 12th place in the Championship 2025-2026 table with 57 points from 43 games, four places higher than Preston North End who also have 57 points. The Blades have been solid but unspectacular in the middle third of the Championship in a season when many teams have struggled.
Chris Wilder’s men come into this match with some momentum, following a 2-1 win at home to Hull City and a 2-0 win away to Watford. The Blades have won one, drawn one and lost one of their last three at Bramall Lane in the Championship and the appointment of Wilder, who took charge in September 2025, has brought some bite back into the team.
They have been winning matches in the manner in which they used to under Wilder with aggressive pressing and fast transitions from their 3-5-2 system. The system is simple, but effective with the wing-backs providing width in attack and a set-piece threat while Patrick Bamford provides the talisman role up front with 11 goals in 25 league appearances this season.
Patience and possession have been key for Heckingbottom’s Preston
Preston are a mirror image of Sheffield United in that they also play with a back three and wing-backs, but the emphasis is on a more patient approach. Heckingbottom likes his side to maintain a disciplined structure with his wing-backs in support of the wingers in attack while his midfield screens the defence.
Heckingbottom has been solid but not spectacular in charge at Deepdale since August 2024, but Preston have ground out some results in tough away fixtures of late. They are unbeaten in two on their travels, having won 1-2 at Charlton Athletic, and they also drew 1-1 with QPR at home.
There was a home defeat to West Bromwich Albion (0-2), so Preston’s recent form has been mixed. Alfie Devine has provided the main scoring threat in midfield with eight goals in 42 Championship appearances, but Lewis Dobbin has been his creative outlet with three assists and eight goals in the Championship this season.
Bramall Lane should stay in Blades’ hands
Preston will probably not take as many risks as they did against Charlton, although the visitors average 1.10 goals per match away in the Championship. Sheffield United average 1.67 goals at home, having scored 35 times at Bramall Lane in the second tier.
The last head-to-head meeting saw Preston claim a 3-2 victory at Deepdale five months ago, but Sheffield United have won three of the previous four and there are no draws between these two clubs in their last four meetings. Therefore, the home side should be able to take the win on Saturday at 63/100.
Heckingbottom’s knowledge of the Sheffield United set-up will add a spicy subplot to this late-season Championship showdown, but we believe the hosts can prevail. The battle between the two sets of wing-backs and the two number nines against their opposing centre-defences will probably decide this one.
