Our prediction for this Premier League match:
Nottingham Forest will look to bounce back from a 2-1 loss to Arsenal when they take on Sheffield United at their City Ground on Friday evening. The Reds produced a fine display in the second half of their opener and it is no wonder the odds for home win have been dropping. Defender Felipe remains on the sidelines with injury, but he should be the only absentee in the home team.
The Blades, on the other hand, suffered a 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace in their opener and given their difficulties when they leave Bramall Lane, we are tempted to put our money on the home side. Oliver McBurnie is a major doubt and he will be assessed ahead of the kick-off, while both Ismaila Coulibaly and Rhian Brewster should miss out through injuries, speaking of the visiting team.
Highlighted Player (Chris Wood):
Chris Wood is a New Zealand international who was born on 7 December, 1991. Wood plays as a striker and he began his senior career at Waikato FC. In 2009 he joined West Bromwich Albion, but he played no more than 21 league games for the Baggies.
The New Zealand attacker played for the likes of Barnsley, Brighton, Birmingham City, Bristol City, Millwall, Leicester City and Ipswich Town on loan in the past, but in July 2015 he signed a four-year deal with Leeds United. Chris Wood scored 13 goals for the Whites in the 2015/2016 Championship campaign and he was given the number 9 shirt. Wood made his Leeds debut on 8 August, 2015 in a 1-1 draw against Burnley. Speaking of his debut for New Zealand, he made his first appearance for the All Whites in a friendly game against Tanzania on 3 June. 2009.
It has to be noted that he represented New Zealand at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and he was the youngest player in the squad. His sister Chelsey Wood is a football player as well and she represented New Zealand at the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Highlighted Team (Sheffield United):
Sheffield United are a professional football club that compete in the Championship. The Blades finished the 2016/2017 League One campaign in top position in the standings, with the team collecting exactly 100 points in the process. Sheffield United last competed in the Premier League in the 2006/2007 season and they were more than unfortunate not to secure the top flight survival.
The Blades finished the season in 18th place in the process and it has to be noted that they were level on points with Wigan Athletic, who managed to avoid the relegation to the English second tier. Sheffield United welcome their rivals at Bramal Lane, the stadium which was opened on April 30, 1855. The current capacity of the venue is 32.702.
The club have numerous rivalries, but the most notable one is the rivalry with their city neighbors Sheffield Wednesday. The two teams face each other in the Steel City derby and it has to be noted that United share rivalry with the likes of Barnsley, Rotherham United, Doncaster Rovers and Leeds United as well.