Sheffield United and Bournemouth both looking for crucial win in Sunday meeting

High-flying Sheffield United host Bournemouth in a Sunday afternoon game that will have repercussions at both ends of the table.

Chris Wilder’s men go into the weekend sixth, just a point behind Tottenham Hotspur and only five points adrift of the coveted Champions League qualifying positions.

Bournemouth, in contrast are 16th in the table, just two points clear of the relegation zone but come into the game with a new sense of optimism following back to back league victories over Brighton and Aston Villa respectively.

Team news

Sheffield United virtually have a clean bill of health with David McGoldrick their only doubt due to an ankle injury. He faces a fitness test after returning to light training this week.

Bournemouth, in contrast, have a few selection issues. Josh King and Jack Stacey both face late fitness tests on their thigh injuries but the game comes too soon for David Brooks and Chris Mepham. Jefferson Lerma, meanwhile, is suspended.

Home manager (Chris Wilder)

“It’s a push for the next three points and that is it. Supporters don’t want to see you take the foot off the gas. They pay their hard earned money to come and watch you home and away.

“And they want to see fully committed performances whatever competition you’re in because when you pull that shirt on they expect, and I think you know and you understand my point of view, I expect every time they stick the Sheffield United shirt on, whether it’s now, whether it’s ten games to go, or the last game to go, it’ll be full tilt right to the end.”

Away manager (Eddie Howe)

“Aston Villa was a much improved overall performance where we showed our quality and how we can play. Now we’ve got to go and prove it again. I think that’s the key thing, we’ve got to back it up a third time. The lads seem in a very good place, I think they seem very focused on the challenge ahead, we know there’s a long way to go we haven’t achieved anything yet we still have to win a lot more games.”

Head-to-head

The two sides last met on the opening day of the Premier League season at the Vitality Stadium where Billy Sharp came off the bench to snatch a late equaliser for the visitors in a 1-1 draw. Bournemouth have an awful record against the Blades with just one win from a previous 16 league meetings. However, that victory did come in a 1-0 away win at Bramall Lane, the venue for this weekend’s fixture.