Sheffield United could climb as high as fifth in the Premier League table when they welcome Burnley to Bramall Lane on Saturday afternoon.
The Blades have been one of the surprise packages of the 2019-20 campaign so far and will be looking to extend their recent good form against a Burnley side coming off the back of successive defeats.
Match preview
© Reuters
Having been installed as favourites for an immediate return to the Championship prior to the season beginning, the fact that Sheffield United sit eighth after 10 games is an achievement worth applauding.
Of course, it is the position in May rather than November that counts, but it should not be overlooked just how far the Blades have come since Chris Wilder took over in 2016, when they were a League One outfit.
Only seven newly-promoted teams in Premier League history have amassed more points from their opening 10 games in the top flight, with United's tally leaving them above Tottenham Hotspur and level with Manchester United in the standings.
Such is the confidence in the squad, born from impressive wins over Arsenal and Everton in addition to a draw at Chelsea, that the players will be looking up the table at the prospect of potentially climbing as high as fifth this weekend.
Wilder will know just how quickly things can change, though; United may be only three points off the top five, but they are also only five points clear of the bottom three and a poor run of results could easily see them plummet down the table - as Burnley have found out in recent weeks.
© Reuters
The Clarets were seventh just a couple of weeks ago, but back-to-back defeats to high-flying pair Leicester City and Chelsea have seen them slip down to 13th - an indication of how tight things are in the middle of the table, where three points separate 10 teams.
Sean Dyche's side have had a mixed campaign so far with three wins, three draws and four defeats, although those four defeats have all come against teams who currently sit in the top five of the table.
A 4-2 home defeat at the hands of Chelsea last weekend was only made to look less one-sided courtesy of two late consolation goals, and Dyche will be unhappy that his side have now conceded 15 times this season - almost double the number of goals Saturday's opponents have shipped.
Indeed, Sheffield United boast the joint-best defensive record in the entire league heading into this round of fixtures and, if they can add a more regular goal threat at the other end, seem to have the right recipe to continue upsetting the odds this season.
They may be in the unfamiliar position of favourites for Saturday's contest, though - Burnley are winless in their last seven away league games, whereas Sheffield United's last home outing saw them pick up that famous 1-0 win over Arsenal.
Sheffield United Premier League form: LWLDWD
Sheffield United form (all competitions): WLLDWD
Burnley Premier League form: DWDWLL
Team News
© Reuters
Burnley will be hopeful of welcoming Chris Wood back from injury for this one, with the striker missing the defeat to Chelsea and facing a late fitness test ahead of the trip to Sheffield.
Phil Bardsley will also be assessed following a back injury, although the defender was deemed fit enough for the bench last weekend and is expected to be available again.
Danny Drinkwater is nearing his own return but will not be ready in time for this one, while Johann Berg Gudmundsson remains a longer-term absentee.
Sheffield United's fortunes have been aided by a clean bill of health, but Wilder will no doubt be considering changes regardless given the form of Lys Mousset.
The attacker came off the bench to score the equaliser against West Ham United at the weekend and is the only Sheffield United player to have scored more than once in the league this season, so he will hope that is enough to earn him a starting role.
Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Henderson; Basham, Egan, O'Connell; Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens; McGoldrick, Mousset
Burnley possible starting lineup:
Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Pieters; Hendrick, Westwood, Cork, McNeil; Wood, Barnes
We say: Sheffield United 1-1 Burnley
This may not be one for the football purists, but it is sure to be a hard-fought affair and it would be a disservice to both sides to suggest that they are all hard work and no quality. Sheffield United's home advantage could prove important if they can rouse themselves to the same level they did for Arsenal's visit, but we are predicting the two teams to cancel each other out.
No Data Analysis info
