Sheffield United

• Sheffield United are the only team without an away win in the Premier League so far this season. The Blades have also scored fewer (four) and conceded the joint-most (20) away goals in the top flight this term.

• Yorkshire teams are winless in their past 19 Premier League away games against Chelsea, since Leeds United’s 2-0 victory in December 1999.

• Raheem Sterling has been involved in 19 goals in his past 18 Premier League appearances against promoted sides, scoring 15 and assisting four. Three of his five league goals this season have come against such clubs (two against Luton and one against Burnley).

• Sheffield United’s next goal will be their 200th in the Premier League. With 199 goals in 214 games so far, their goal-per-game ratio of 0.93 is the lowest of all teams to have played in at least three campaigns in the competition.

• Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has won 36 of his 42 Premier League games against promoted sides, the best win rate by any manager to have taken charge of at least 10 such games (85.7%).

Ben Meakin, BladesPod, external

What a difference a week makes... or should that be what a difference Chris Wilder has made?

United were on their knees last Saturday after a 5-0 humbling at previously bottom Burnley, with the players looking out of energy, confidence and ideas.

Enter the returning Wilder, and suddenly the Blades have looked competitive again, staying in the game until the 94th minute against leaders Liverpool and then putting in their best 90 minutes of the season in the win over Brentford.

I am not one for getting carried away with a tight win over a mid-table team shorn of its best attacking talent, and there is a reason that the phrase 'new manager bounce' exists. However, Wilder has made immediate, quite radical (based on his previous stint as boss) tactical changes that have reaped rewards.

First, he broke up the unproductive midfield pairing of Oliver Norwood and Vinicius Souza, which many fans had been crying out for for weeks. Souza instantly looks better as the main defensive midfielder, while Gus Hamer has finally got to play as the number eight where he had so much success with Coventry City.

Wilder also ditched the 3-5-2 formation that he and predecessor Paul Heckingbottom had relied on so much in the past - opting for a bolder 4-3-3.

Another oft-cited criticism of Wilder’s previous tenure was an apparent unwillingness to lean on young talent - yet here he immediately threw the energetic Andre Brooks in for his first senior league starts, and brought on teenager Sydie Peck for a hard-running league debut late on.

Upon rejoining, Wilder claimed that United are "getting him at his best", suggesting some self-reflection has taken place for the way it ended with the Blades two and a half years ago.

It would have been easy to dismiss that as merely a nice soundbite for the fans from a new boss, but Wilder’s early actions speak just as loudly as those words.

We asked for your thoughts on Saturday's match between Sheffield United and Brentford.

Here are some of your comments:

Sheffield United fans

Robert: The win over Brentford was a small step on a very long trail. But I think Chris Wilder has made the right move as Sheffield United need to play front-foot football. If you let the opposition attack, they will score.

Neikl: It was like watching a different team. So full of energy and determination. and just what us Blades supporters want to see. As always, the team kept us biting our nails right to the very end. But no matter, we got over the line at last. What a feeling. It's why we support the Blades.

Tom: Wilder's put a rocket up the players. Their displays against Liverpool and Brentford have already been so much better. The passion we fans expect is back. We need it to continue and we will have a chance.

Nathan: An encouraging performance from us. Defensively we were compact, determined and committed. Anel Ahmedhodzic impressed, and Jack Robinson was tremendous for me with his wholehearted tackles and long throws. Good to have Wilder back, but still feel for Hecky who handled himself brilliantly under sustained pressure. Come on United!

Brentford fans

George: Bryan Mbeumo's absence played less of a role in our defeat than Mathias Jensen's. Without his ability to dictate the flow of the match, we were toothless and flat. To be where we are on the table in spite of these injuries is a credit to how hard the remaining players have worked each week, but Sheffield just had a little more in the tank.

Kenneth: We are deep trouble with so many injuries. While I don’t think we will be relegated, it is very unlikely that we will pick up any points until early in the New Year.

R: Without Mbeumo and of course no Ivan Toney yet - although he will go in January to another club - the Bees will struggle and be in a relagation scrap within a month. They must buy and get someone to put that ball in the net and we need a couple of defenders as well.

James: Missing piece is the creative one, Ivan Toney. It's that simple.

Image source, BBC

Anis Ben Slimane spoke to BBC Radio Sheffield's Blades Heaven Podcast about Saturday's victory over Brentford: "It's a big relief - working hard every day and working hard for those moments. The atmosphere was incredible and to get three points was amazing.

"What a goal and what a player McAtee is. We know how important he is for our team and how good he is in the offensive game. He showed his quality. I'm happy for him and happy that he could help the team.

"I haven't played a lot this season so know how to work hard every day and show the coach and staff that I'm ready to play. New coach, new eyes and for me it's a fresh energy. We just have to keep working hard and everything is possible.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's six Premier League fixtures.

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

And Match of the Day 2 brings you a round-up of Sunday's games.

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

• Manchester United 0-3 Bournemouth

• Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal

Listen to Sunday's commentaries here:

• Luton Town 1-2 Manchester City

• Tottenham 4-1 Newcastle United

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder: "The key now is to have more of these days like today. It's about small steps. Everybody played their part.

"We have had two days training [since I arrived]. We were a bit off in the first half. Is that because of what they did on Wednesday? Possibly.

"We possibly should have put the game to bed before the end. This is a day to be celebrated and then we move on to Chelsea [next Saturday].

On McAtee's "outstanding" performance: "He has great ability and he loves playing for this club. He wanted to come back here after last season.

"I'm delighted to be managing him and to have the chance of trying to get something out of him."

• Sheffield United have won three consecutive league games against Brentford for the first time, while this is their first top-flight victory against the Bees since Christmas Day 1946 (6-1).

• Brentford have lost three away games to teams starting the day in the relegation zone in the Premier League, one more defeat than they have away to teams starting the day inside the top three (2).

• James McAtee scored his first Premier League goal, and his 10th overall for Sheffield United (55th appearance). He has been directly involved in 12 goals in all competitions in 2023 (seven goals, five assists), more than any other Blades player.

• Brentford have lost four of their last five Premier League games (W1), one more defeat than in their previous 14 in the competition combined (W7 D4 L3).

• Cameron Archer created four of Sheffield United’s nine attempts at goal in this match. The last Blades player to create more in a single Premier League game was Oliver Norwood against Crystal Palace in August 2019 (5).

A wonderful goal by James McAtee was enough for Sheffield United to beat Brentford and give Blades manager Chris Wilder a first win since his return to the club.

The Manchester City loanee's first Premier League goal lit up a rainy Bramall Lane in first-half injury time as he cut inside onto his left foot and curled a beautiful shot into the far corner.

Blades sub Anis Ben Slimane missed a great chance to make it 2-0 after 56 minutes but shot straight at Mark Flekken in the Brentford goal.

Brentford, without top scorer Bryan Mbeumo through injury, struggled to create many openings as they fell to a fourth defeat in their last five games.

The win is only Sheffield United's second in the Premier League this season and came in Wilder's second match back in charge following the 2-0 defeat against Liverpool in midweek.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from home?

Sheff Utd fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Brentford fans?

Follow all the reaction here

Image source, BBC Sport

There are six games being played in the Premier League on Saturday and we will bring you every moment.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

All times are GMT

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

For this weekend's games, he takes on actor Dougray Scott, who stars in the new season of high-stakes drama Vigil.

Sutton's prediction: 0-1

New Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has got a hell of a job to try to keep them up but, if anyone can do it, he can.

The Blades gave it a bit of a go in their defeat against Liverpool in midweek and on paper this is a game they might fancy getting something from.

Bryan Mbeumo's injury is a big blow to Brentford and made me think this might end up in a draw, but then I remembered how awkward the Bees are, which is why I have gone for them to find a way of nicking it.

Dougray's prediction: 1-3

Read the rest of their predictions here

Former Sheffield United midfielder Michael Brown speaks to the Football News Show about Chris Wilder's return as manager of the Blades and whether they have enough quality to avoid relegation from the Premier League this season.

Watch the Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Brentford at Bramall Lane.

Here are the key headlines from his news conference:

• On aiming to build a "connection" between the team and the supporters: "Sean Dyche said it as well, about the connection he and his team have got with the Everton fans. We're trying to get that going again. It's a powerful force and certainly helps the players to play at the best of their ability."

• Reflecting on Wednesday's loss to Liverpool: "We need to have a bit more control when we have possession and if we do that, hopefully we can show our quality going the other way. I just don't want to be sat on the edge of the box waiting to get beat."

• Wilder added: "The approach of the team was good, we got up the pitch and asked questions. I've got an awful lot of respect for Jurgen [Klopp] and his team, and I think they will have felt they'd been in a game on Wednesday. Anybody who watched it will have said there's fight and life in Sheffield United still."

• George Baldock trained with the team on Friday and a late call will be made about his availability for the Brentford match.

• On Saturday's opponents: "I've got a lot of respect for Thomas Frank. He's a smart manager and a good guy. We had some great battles in the Championship. They're a powerful, athletic, aggressive and competitive team with technical players. It's a different challenge to Wednesday, but it's still a huge challenge."

Follow Friday's Premier League news conferences

• Sheffield United are unbeaten in their past five league games against Brentford, all in the Championship. Their most recent meeting was a 3-2 win for the Blades in March 2019.

• This is the third top-flight game between Sheffield United and Brentford – the previous two were played on consecutive days in the 1946-47 season, a 6-1 Blades win on Christmas Day and 2-1 Bees win on Boxing Day.

• London sides have won each of their past six Premier League away games against Sheffield United.

• Among the 40 sides to play 100 or more games at the traditional Saturday 3pm kick-off time in the Premier League, Sheffield United have the lowest points-per-game record in this slot (1.01 – P105 W26 D28 L51).

Image source, Getty Images

Rob Staton, BBC Radio Sheffield

It wasn’t the start Chris Wilder was hoping for in terms of the result but the performance hinted at brighter days ahead for the Blades. This was a very different display compared to those against Bournemouth and Burnley. It was always going to be a tall order to defeat Liverpool but more of the same this weekend should give United a chance to get a result against Brentford.

It’s been quite a week at the Lane. Paul Heckingbottom’s departure in the end wasn’t a surprise, a change had been rumoured for weeks. He had an extremely challenging summer - not conducive with success in the Premier League.

However, the performances against Bournemouth and Burnley were poor enough that the writing felt on the wall. Even as he departs, he should be remembered for the tremendous job he did picking up a Blades team that was going nowhere in the Championship under Slavisa Jokanovic and eventually winning promotion.

Life is just more interesting with Wilder around. That’s not a comment on Heckingbottom or any other boss. It’s just a fact that Wilder is great to interview, listen to, and he always has something interesting to say. His previous United teams have been exciting, all-action and successful. It’ll be intriguing to see if he can get things going again.

Listen to the latest episode of the Blades Heaven podcast on BBC Sounds

I’ve never been at a club when a manager returned. What I did have was Neil Warnock at Sheffield United and then he came to Leeds when I was there.

There will be a few of those players at Sheffield United who will see Chris Wilder return and might say: “Oh, that’s me now in trouble”. You’re already thinking he maybe doesn’t want your credentials. It can be a negative thing. But he may say: “You were brilliant last year and have shown something I didn’t know you could”.

Wilder will say he returns with more experience. He will know some of the players well and be very aware of the situation.

It’s important we put on record the incredible job Paul Heckingbottom did. He himself has documented some scenarios that may have helped him. Some clubs when promoted spend £100m but it’s unrealistic. He has done a wonderful job. Now Chris now needs a reaction.

Fans love what Wilder did for the club before in adversity. They also are fully aware it’s the Premier League and there’s a squad that can realistically only perform to certain levels. When that is the case after promotion, generally you are going to be in a fight aren't you? Just look at Nottingham Forest, who struggled last year despite spending ridiculous money.

Wilder will get his feet under the table and understand what he needs. I’m sure there will be help for him in January.

Michael Brown was speaking to BBC Sport's Luke Reddy

We asked for your thoughts on Wednesday's match between Sheffield United and Liverpool.

Here are some of your comments:

Blades fans

Paul: Kept them at bay for long swathes of the game and two poor refereeing decisions led to two goals for them. Roll on the Championship.

Nathan: An encouraging performance from us this evening. Defensively we were compact, determined and committed. AnelAhmedhodzic impressed, and Jack Robinson was tremendous with his wholehearted tackles and long throws. Good to have Chris Wilder back, but still feel for Hecky who handled himself brilliantly under sustained pressure. Come on United!

David: Proper grafter this man! When left to do his job without outside interference, he can certainly make things happen. He’s got proven ability at getting 11 players to work hard and perform together like the Red Arrows.

Graham: A lot better than what we have seen over the past few games. A lot more effort but both the goals should have been disallowed for fouls by Liverpool.

Liverpool fans

Daniel: Wasn’t our best performance, but we got the job done. I think critically we need to stop playing from the back. It’s too risky and there were times where we lost possession because of that. Virgil van Dijk was our best player and it was nice to see Dominik Szoboszlai on the scoresheet at the end.

Tommy: Hard-fought win, Liverpool deserved the points but made hard work of it. Big problems at full-back as Kostas Tsmikas is too slow and Joe Gomez continues to make poor decisions. A better team would have punished Liverpool

Kevin: Liverpool were less than convincing tonight, but we'll take the three points. Mistakes from Gomez and Ibou Konate almost cost us but Van Dijk and Szoboszlai were both outstanding.

Rob: Liverpool were poor tonight. Couldn't string three passes together and in the second half were unable to get on top of the worst team in the league. Wouldn't have begrudged Sheffield United if they got a draw.

Former Sheffield United United striker Carl Asaba spoke to the Blades Heaven podcast about the competition between Oliver Norwood and Vinicius Souza in Chris Wilder's Sheffield United side: "I think it's the competition he [Chris WIlder] wants. Not so much playing both, may the best man win. If you want to start and dominate, when you're on the pitch you do that or the other lad will get the chance.

"I think it will drive them both on. Ollie is the ultimate professional, he's not going to be deterred. He's going to try and get his way back in and and he's a great player.

"Vini [Souza], I think Chris could turn him into something really special."

Listen to the full Blades Heaven episode here