Friday 15 September 2000
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| 19:00-22:00 |
| First Division Football: Sheffield United Vs Blackburn Rovers - Live |
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The latest live Nationwide League First Division action as Sheffield United take on their rivals from across the Pennines, Blackburn Rovers. Marcus Buckland introduces the action from Bramall Lane whilst commentary comes from Rob Hawthorne and Chris Kamara.
 |
| 19:00-22:00 |
| Interactive Football: Sheffield United Vs Blackburn Rovers - Live |
|
The latest live Nationwide League First Division action as Sheffield United take on their rivals from across the Pennines, Blackburn Rovers. Marcus Buckland introduces the action from Bramall Lane whilst commentary comes from Rob Hawthorne and Chris Kamara.
|
Sheffield
United v Blackburn Rovers: Friday
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Matt Jansen
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Rovers had a good
record at Bramhalll Lane in the early 90s and thrashed United 5-0 as recently
as April 1 at Ewood Park, so they should feel confident of another win here.
However, after losing their unbeaten start at home to Watford in midweek Graeme
Souness's side are slightly deflated. It means that the Blades will have the
psychological edge, especially after holding Wolves to a goalless draw at Molinuex
on the same night that Rovers were defeated 4-3 by the Hornets at Ewood Park.
And if Blackburn
didn't realise it before, the tussle for promotion to the Premiership is going
to be tough. With Fulham, Watford and now Wimbledon looking ominous and Birmingham
and Bolton, plus another four or five potential promotion contenders in there
as well, nothing can be taken for granted. Many of the most streetwise pundits,
and punters, are still backing the super-rich Lancashire outfit to go straight-up.
But if they are to be proved right, Souness has a hell of a lot of work to do.
Tuesday's defeat
was a major blow to morale and the Achilles injury to Craig Hignett an even
bigger blow. Having said that, both Matt Jansen and Nathan Blake have responded
well to the pressure of having loan striker Kaba Diawara on the bench, and another
loan signing, defender Henning Berg - returning from Man Utd - settled in well
for Saturday's 3-0 win over Forest.
That was easily
the best Rovers have played this season. They were exciting going forward and
also looked solid at the back, which is more than can be said of their defensive
performance against Watford. Still, they were perhaps a shade unlucky not to
get at least a point against Graham Taylor's side and the goals are still flowing
which is a good sign.
Sheffield United
are also enjoying a semi-prolific spell - well at Bramhall Lane at least. They
have failed to score in just one of their last 18 homes, which is some going.
Overall, though, United have so far been frustratingly erratic, winning all
three at home and rattling in ten goals, but losing four and drawing one away
in which they have scored just the one. Rovers have drawn all their aways. So,
on paper, the Blackburn sequence looks the most likely to continue, but I'm
backing the Blades to continue their impressive winning streak at Bramhall Lane.
Sportlist
prediction: Sheffield United 2-1 Blackburn Rovers
Previous meetings:
01-04-2000; English Division 1
Blackburn Rovers 5-0 Sheffield United
19-12-1999;
English Division 1
Sheffield United 2-1 Blackburn Rovers
15-01-1994;
English Premier
Sheffield United 1-2 Blackburn Rovers
18-10-1993;
English Premier
Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Sheffield United
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