Preview: Sheffield United vs. Derby County - prediction, team news, lineups

Both aiming to make it three consecutive victories in the Championship, Sheffield United and Derby County will square off at Bramall Lane on Saturday.

The two sides both sit on nine points in sixth and eighth spots respectively in the second-tier table after five rounds of fixtures, having been two divisions apart last season.

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Match preview

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Sheffield United return to Bramall Lane on Saturday aiming to further strengthen their standing among the Championship frontrunners, having enjoyed a pleasing start in their bid to win an immediate promotion back to the Premier League this term.

Faced with a two-point deduction at the start of the term following a dismal top-flight campaign last time around, the Blades have enjoyed an unbeaten start thus far, moving onto nine points from five outings with three victories and a pair of draws.

After sharing points with Queens Park Rangers and Norwich City, the South Yorkshire outfit headed into the September international break on the back of a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Watford at Bramall Lane, and they were able to pick up where they left off on their return to action last Friday.

Chris Wilder's men visited Yorkshire rivals Hull City and prevailed with another victory and clean sheet, as Gustavo Hamer opened the scoring in the 15th minute and Sam McCallum finished off a counter to seal a 2-0 triumph soon after the hour mark.

Having quickly overcome their deduction to sit in the top six thanks to a pleasing start, Sheffield United will now bid to make it three consecutive league victories on Saturday to move further into the leading pack.

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That will be no easy task, though, as the visitors arrive on the back of an impressive start of their own, having also returned to the Championship this season after winning promotion from England's third tier last time around.

After sealing their return at the second attempt, Derby County headed into the new term aiming to solidify their second-tier status, and they have impressed thus far, amassing nine points from their first five outings.

Paul Warne's men came out of a tricky opening run with three points thanks to an impressive victory over Middlesbrough either side of away defeats to Blackburn Rovers and Watford, before heading into the international break on the back of a 3-0 beating of Bristol City, with Kenzo Goudmijn, Kayden Jackson and David Ozoh on the scoresheet.

They would also pick up where they left off on their return to action last weekend, having welcomed Cardiff City to Pride Park and taken all three points from a 1-0 triumph thanks to Goudmijn's first-half goal.

With plenty of confidence to take from their fast start, Derby County will now bid to take another major scalp on Saturday and extend their winning run in England's second tier to move into the top six.

Sheffield United Championship form:

Sheffield United form (all competitions):

Derby County Championship form:

Derby County form (all competitions):

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Team News

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Chris Wilder should deploy an unchanged Sheffield United starting XI from last week's 2-0 victory away at Hull City, with defender Jack Robinson remaining sidelined by an injury.

Anel Ahmedhodzic and Harry Souttar will continue their partnership at the heart of a back four following consecutive clean sheets, while Oliver Arblaster will again join Vinicius Souza at the base of the midfield.

At the top end of the pitch, Kieffer Moore could again lead the line with support from the dangerous trio of Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Callum O'Hare and Gustavo Hamer, who has netted three league goals so far this term, although Andre Brooks and Sam McCallum will compete for spots on the flanks.

Derby County suffered a big injury blow in last weekend's win over Cardiff City, as midfielder David Ozoh was forced off, and he will miss out on Saturday with Liam Thompson, Tom Barkhuizen and Kane Wilson also remaining confined to the treatment room.

Former Sheffield United man Ben Osborn should take his place from the outset, joining Ebou Adams and Kenzo Goudmijn, who has scored in back-to-back games heading into the weekend's trip.

That could be the only change to the starting XI from last week's 1-0 win, with Curtis Nelson and Eiran Cashin bound to continue their defensive partnership despite competition from Nat Phillips.

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Cooper; Gilchrist, Souttar, Ahmedhodzic, Burrows; Souza, Arblaster; Rak-Sakyi, O'Hare, Hamer; Moore

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We say: Sheffield United 2-0 Derby County

Derby County certainly have cause for optimism following their start to the campaign and back-to-back wins, but they face a stern test away at a Sheffield United side who have quickly found their groove at both ends of the pitch.

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