Sheffield United

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.

For the fixtures taking place over the turn of the year, from 30 December to 2 January, he takes on Shed Seven singer and song-writer Rick Witter, who is a Manchester United fan.

Shed Seven's new album, 'A Matter of Time', is released on 12 January.

Sutton's prediction: 3-0

Sheffield United are bottom of the table but I think we've seen some improvement since Chris Wilder took charge at the start of December.

I am not sure it will do them much good at Etihad Stadium, though. Manchester City became world champions over Christmas but they had a decent festive period at home too, with their win at Everton and the teams above them dropping points.

The Blades were competitive against City at the start of the season, and only lost to a late Rodri goal, but their challenge here is to hang on in there this time too.

I don't see them doing it, and it could end up as an avalanche if City score early.

Rick's prediction: I was dreading doing this one! I love Sheffield and I wish the Blades well here but this is pretty much nailed on to be a comfortable home win. 3-0

Read all of Sutton's predictions here

• Manchester City have never lost a Premier League game against Sheffield United (W8 D3), winning each of the past six in a row.

• Sheffield United have never scored in five Premier League away games against City - only Birmingham (seven against Manchester United) have visited a side more without ever scoring in the competition.

• There have been just 14 goals scored in 11 Premier League meetings between Manchester City (12 goals) and Sheffield United (two) - an average of 1.3 per game. Of all fixtures to have been played at least 10 times, only Bolton v Southampton (1.2) has seen fewer goals-per-game.

• Sheffield United have lost their past nine league games against reigning top-flight champions since beating Leeds United 2-1 in April 1993. Away from home, they’ve lost their past 11 such games since beating Arsenal 1-0 in August 1971.

• Manchester City have dropped six points from winning positions at home in the Premier League this season - two more than they dropped across 2021-22 (two) and 2022-23 (two) combined.

• Sheffield United remain without a win away from home in the Premier League this season, though they did hold Aston Villa to a draw last time out on the road. They’ve only scored more than once in one of their past 39 top-flight away games (18 goals in total), beating Manchester United 2-1 in January 2021.

Chris Wilder has spoken to the media before Sheffield United's match against Manchester City on Saturday.

Here are some of the main lines from his news conference:

• On team news ahead of Saturday's match, Wilder said: "There's a couple of suspensions and a few players that have knocks and bruises that we'll look at. Tom Davies is back on the grass which is great news. We'll go with what we've got and be as competitive as we can be."

• Wilder says Rhys Norrington-Davies and Rhian Brewster "aren't in a position to start games at the moment" but says there's potential for them to get more minutes in the New Year.

• On Wes Foderingham's mentality after recent criticism, Wilder said: "He'll feel it. He has to get over that as everyone has. Everybody to suffer and we can't shy away from it. He'll be the first to admit there's situations we can handle a bit better, but this is the life and times of a goalkeeper."

• On whether he's considered replacing him in the starting line-up, Wilder added: "They can't be knee-jerk reactions, but players have got to play well to get in and stay in the team. I've got to put my best team out at Man City."

• On his opponents, Wilder said: "You've got to have a plan and a structure in and out of possession. You can't go gung-ho or toe-to-toe with them because of the quality they've got. Pep [Guardiola] is the best manager in the world and one of the all-time greats as well. The way they dominate the ball, you have to bring your A-game to the table. We understand how the game is going to go, so we all have to understand and accept that."

• On the transfer window and targets, Wilder said: "These players have got to go in the first team, and we're in a period where you have to make quick decisions in terms of what you want your team to look like. Some of the players that we're looking to bring in, we understand it's going to be limited but we will be looking."

• On lifting the mood after defeat to Luton, Wilder said: "I want them to hurt and be emotional about it. We felt the pain of a defeat that I didn't think was deserved. If you look over the period, we've been close to five points extra to our total, but it isn't to be. I'd be disappointed if they didn't because they have to feel the hurt of not getting the result we were all after."

Rob Staton, BBC Radio Sheffield

The second half of the season for Sheffield United brings renewed hope for 2024.

Chris Wilder has galvanised the team and the old fighting spirit associated with the Blades is back in abundance. It remains a seriously tall order to keep United in the Premier League but it will not be for a lack of effort with Wilder in the dugout.

New signings are crucial but the extent of United’s business is unclear. It is unlikely there is going to be a big splurge. The one signing that would really excite the fans would be a loan return for Iliman Ndiaye but the latest chatter is he is keen to stay at Marseille for now, while other teams (such as Everton) are also monitoring the situation.

The squad is going to need resetting in the near future with ageing players and out-of-contract big names, so we’ll see if that work begins in January.

The early fixtures in 2024 are full of opportunity. Two Premier League games in January against West Ham and Crystal Palace at least offer an opportunity for points (with the usual caveat of nothing coming easy at this level). February includes rematches with Aston Villa and Luton, plus games against Brighton and Wolves.

By the end of that month, it will be intriguing to see if United have raised hopes of a great escape or whether attention will be turning to the future and rebuilding efforts.

We asked you for your thoughts after Tuesday's match between Sheffield United and Luton Town.

Here are some of the top comments:

Sheffield United fans

John: I thought United fought back very well but were robbed by two very poor refereeing decisions. It was never a corner leading to the first “own goal” then a clear foul on Jack Robinson caused his “own goal”. Total travesty.

Tom: We were unlucky today in some ways but overall I think our league position is a fair reflection of our quality. This side just isn’t able to compete at this level. We look lost in possession and terrified when defending. We seem incapable of hanging on to a lead. I can't wait for this season to be over.

Chipper: No pressing for long spells and soaking up pressure like it's the UV rays of the Algarve. We know we can't defend set pieces and it was inevitable that we would face balls into the box from wide areas. Architects of our own demise. Utterly useless.

J: Three major issues: 1) The standard of refereeing is beyond poor. At 2-1 up, a situation that was “goal kick or foul” was given as an impossible corner. Why do we have VAR? 2) These players cannot handle adversity. Once that happened and the first own goal dropped in, the lack of response was what caused the 3-2. 3) We’re just not good enough.

Luton fans

Harish: Absolutely delighted with this win after coming from behind, well deserved. In previous matches, Lady Luck was not with us, but she was definitely with us today. Come on you Hatters!

Stephen: Never say “die”. Leave it all on the pitch. Want-to-win mentality. These are essential ingredients in Rob’s magic. Luton are now “getting” Premier League football but the season is long, hard, remorseless and without compassion. Go again against Chelsea in four days. Come On You Hatters!

Alexander: I can’t believe we’ve won that. Absolute class and resilience from every man in a Luton shirt. Barkley with a deserved man-of-the-match performance as well. We can consider ourselves lucky with the two own goals but we didn’t put our heads down and kept the pressure up after going down. Chelsea, we’re coming for you. Unlucky Sheffield.

Sue: The last two wins were always on the cards as our performances just get better every game. Last week was for Tom Lockyer - now we're winning because we are really good.

BBC Radio Sheffield bring you post-match reaction to an unfortunate defeat for Chris Wilder's side on Boxing Day.

Hear from Carl Asaba, Chris Wilder and Oli McBurnie as Blades Heaven dissects the two own goals scored in four minutes in the 3-1 loss to Luton Town.

Listen now on BBC Sounds

Neil Johnston, BBC Sport

“We chucked it away,” said Chris Wilder without a moment’s hesitation after the Sheffield United boss was asked about what went wrong against Luton.

Leading 2-1 in the final stages, the Blades somehow managed to lose 3-2 and remain rooted at the bottom of the table.

It’s the second time in the space of a few days they have dropped points after conceding late at Aston Villa in the previous game.

Wilder now has the job of lifting his players after this highly damaging defeat.

It doesn’t get any easier with an away game at Manchester City up next.

“Don't take this as a dig against our opponents but there will be a lot of talk about character and getting themselves back into the game with a never-say-die attitude and all that, it's nothing to do with

That,” said Wilder.

"It's to do with our attitude to defending. It cost us on Friday night (at Aston Villa) and it has cost us tonight.”

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder speaking to BBC Sport: "We chucked it away. We got our noses in front. We don't go out and stop a cross. We are sat on the six yard line and things like that are going to happen if you sit that deep. It is the defending attitude and shape that has cost us.

"It will look a bit unlucky but it isn't unlucky, it is us and we chucked it.

"We had control of the game. We have to control our emotion as well. We got back into the game and then we just have to make decisions. It should have been 3-1 and them chucking players forwards.

"The game is hard enough for Sheffield United in the Premier League. It is hard enough at this level where games can easily be turned on the head and they have not had to work that hard to turn it around from 2-1 down to 3-2 up.

"We were not great in the first half. We were passive and they were aggressive. Their first goal was another disappointing one. We came in and a lot of people perhaps thought it was a deserved scoreline. We changed it around at half time and we got that reaction and we deserved to be ahead, we were the ones searching for the next goal.

"It is the mindset and when you are in this position where points are difficult to come by you want to protect, but it is not a time to protect."

• Sheffield United conceded two own goals in the same Premier League match for the first time. They became the first team to do so overall since Leicester City v Liverpool in December 2022. No team has conceded more own goals in the competition this season than the Blades (3).

• Luton Town came back to win a Premier League match after being behind for the first time. Prior to today, the Hatters had lost 11 and drawn two of the 13 matches in which they had went behind.

• Alfie Doughty scored his first Premier League goal in what was his 17th appearance in the top-flight. He was Luton Town’s 12th different scorer in the Premier League this season (excl. own goals) – only Newcastle United, Everton and Arsenal have had more different scorers this season (all three with 14).

• Sheffield United are only the second team to concede 47 or more goals after their first 19 matches of a Premier League season, and the first since Barnsley in 1997-98 (50 conceded).

• Only against Birmingham City (6) has Sheffield United’s Oliver McBurnie scored more league goals than he has against Luton Town in the top four tiers of English football, with McBurnie netting five league goals against the Hatters.

Bottom club Sheffield United suffered a demoralising home defeat as Luton Town snatched victory in an extraordinary Premier League game at Bramall Lane.

A howler by Wes Foderingham gifted Luton the lead when Alfie Doughty's 17th-minute attempt slipped through the keeper's legs and into the net.

The Blades thought they had turned it around after the interval, Oli McBurnie equalising after Sam Allison - the first black referee to take charge of an English top-flight match for 15 years - played a smart advantage when James McAtee appeared to have been fouled.

With fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest winning earlier at Newcastle, the Blades - who are at Manchester City on Saturday (15:00 GMT) - needed all three points and captain Anel Ahmedhodzic fired them in front from close range after Luton failed to clear.

But two own goals in the space of four minutes - first a flicked header by Jack Robinson and then by substitute Anis Ben Slimane - allowed Luton to seal back-to-back Premier League wins after their 1-0 victory over Newcastle last Saturday.

Were you at Bramall Lane, or did you watch the match at home?

Sheffield United fans - how do you rate your team's performance?

Luton fans - submit your post-match thoughts here

Follow all the reaction

Former Chelsea and England striker Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.

For the fixtures over the festive period on 26, 27 and 28 December, he takes on Samuel T Herring, frontman of Baltimore-based synth-pop band Future Islands and an Everton fan.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

I wouldn't quite say they have turned a corner, but both teams have shown recently why they shouldn't be written off as relegation certainties.

Luton in particular have really surprised me this season. They got a great win against Newcastle last time out and their reaction after Tom Lockyer's collapse in their previous game spoke volumes about the spirit in their team and the club as a whole. It was great to see.

Sheffield United got a brilliant result too at Villa Park and surprised everyone with their draw - although they are probably disappointed they didn't win.

Blades boss Chris Wilder has already got one home victory under his belt, against Brentford, since taking charge at the start of the month, and I think his side will edge this one too.

Samuel's prediction: Luton are putting up one heck of a fight. 0-1

Read all of Sutton's predictions here

There are five games being played in the Premier League on Boxing Day and we will bring you every moment.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

• Sheffield United have lost just one of their past seven league games against Luton, though it was at Bramall Lane in the most recent meeting in March last season (0-1).

• Sheffield United’s last Boxing Day victory in the top flight came against Luton Town in 1990, a 1-0 win at Kenilworth Road. Since then they are winless in six such matches, failing to score on five occasions.

• Luton Town have won three of their past five league games on Boxing Day, having been winless in seven such matches in the Football League before this.

• This will be Sheffield United’s 100th league game on Boxing Day since the Football League was formed, with only Manchester United (53), Aston Villa (46) and West Bromwich Albion (45) winning more such games than the Blades (44).

• Carlton Morris scored both of Luton’s goals against Sheffield United in the Championship last season, netting home and away against the Blades. The only team he has scored in three consecutive appearances against in his English league career are Blackburn Rovers.

We asked you for your best memories of the festive football period as a Sheffield United fan.

Here's what you had to say:

Daniel: Beating Nottingham Forest just before Christmas in 1990 for our first win and kicking off our great escape!

Lee: Blades away at Barnsley in the snow! Billy Sharp and James Beattie up front and we managed to get a goal late in the game due to a young Sharp bagging before running into a chaotic away end!

Tom: Beating Derby 3-1 in 2018. Great performance and David McGoldrick lobbed the keeper, showing what an inspired free transfer he had been. It kick-started the real push towards the return to the Premier League.

The end of another year is almost upon us - how much do you remember about Sheffield United over the past 12 months?

Test yourself with a question from every month of 2023.

Have a go here

The Christmas spirit and the deluge of games that come with it is upon us.

For a player, it’s a crazy time. What’s mad is everything is happening festive wise and you want to enjoy it in some way – like a party for the lads if you can fit it in. It means you feel you have some kind of Christmas.

But the games keep coming, especially at the top end if you’re in several competitions. Then you have the training load and training on Christmas Day. I won’t lie, that is psychologically a challenge not to feel a bit sorry for yourself. Sometimes you think everyone is having a good time, but you have to think how many people would swap with your position. You have to realise and think about what you are doing.

But when you have your kids there playing with their new toys and you have to go training, that is a big sacrifice It’s not about money, it’s just human nature.

What I think they should do is make it compulsory that you cannot train as a club on Christmas Day. That way, no one gets an advantage. What happens is you see is the owners will question why you didn’t train if you lose on Boxing Day.

Boxing Day is brilliant to play on. You can see the bigger crowds and feel the festive spirit. I used to love having Christmas Day off and playing on Boxing Day. But only a few managers will trust you to have that day off, Neil Warnock was one of them.

It’s a tiring spell and I will admit, I have been set to play on Boxing Day and wondered if I’ll get through the game as I’d had too much Christmas dinner.

Playing in this spell, you have to take it as a privilege. You are playing so everyone else is able to watch football at that great time of year.

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Thursday, Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to Sunday's BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full on BBC Sounds:

Tottenham 2-1 Everton

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

We asked you for your thoughts after Aston Villa and Sheffield United played out a 1-1 draw on Friday night.

Here are some of your comments:

Villa fans

Woody: I think this was a real test of character for Villa. After the maybe unexpected victories vs City and Arsenal, this was very disappointing for the fans. I don’t think we are very clear how to play in games where we have all the possession and need to break down well organised defences- we seemed a bit short of ideas - complacent maybe?

David: Breaking down teams who sit back against us is a new problem and a massive compliment. The fact we still picked up a point is a positive. We're still a work in progress and these games will show Emery where he needs to strengthen - upgrades on Cash and Duran looking likely.

Teddy: As usual Villa showed no urgency against a team they should beat and fair play to Sheffield United who suffocated our midfield, defended in numbers and also had VAR on their side. Villa have to reset, accept this is a blip and keep the faith - It’s still a very Happy Christmas for all us Villa fans!

Sheffield United fans:

Richard: Excellent fighting performance against a top four team. Well done Blades.

Sam: Chris Wilder is making us hard to beat, the improvement since his arrival is clear for all to see.

John: Good battling performance.

Aaron: Wasn't a pretty performance, but was almost the perfect smash-and-grab. Considering they had numerous VAR appeals and a goal disallowed, it's a decent point on the board.

Catch up with all the post-match reaction from Sheffield United's 1-1 draw with high-flying Aston Villa on the latest episode of Blades Heaven.

Hear from Rob Kozluk, Chris Wilder and Jack Robinson after the Blades made it four points from four games under Wilder.

Listen now on BBC Sounds

• Aston Villa failed to win a Premier League home game for the first time since 18trFebruary (2-4 v Arsenal), with this just the second time they had trailed in a league game at Villa Park since then (also v Crystal Palace in September).

• Sheffield United have won four points in their four Premier League games under Chris Wilder this season, just one fewer than they managed in their first 14 league games of the current campaign under Paul Heckingbottom (five points).

• Aston Villa had 77.6% possession against Sheffield United, their most ever in a Premier League match on record (since 2003-04).

• The Blades didn’t attempt a shot in this match until the 78th minute, although they had more attempts (5) than Aston Villa (4) in the final 15 minutes of play.

• Cameron Archer became just the second player to appear for Aston Villa and score against them in a single Premier League season, after Ugo Ehiogu in 2000-01.

• Nicolo Zaniolo’s goal (96:59) was the latest equaliser in a Premier League game for Aston Villa on record (since 2006-07).

• Douglas Luiz has been directly involved in 20 goals in the Premier League since the start of last season (11 goals, nine assists), with only Ollie Watkins having more combined goals and assists (36) for Aston Villa in this period.