Sheffield United vs Birmingham City – Preview | OneFootball

Sheffield United welcome Birmingham City to Bramall Lane on Saturday afternoon in what will be the final game before Christmas.

The Blades had their momentum and unbeaten streak halted last time out against West Bromwich Albion in a 2-0 defeat. Chris Wilder was visibly frustrated in the dug-out and after the game because of the lack of quality from United.

Birmingham City head into this contest without a win in three games, with their most recent result being a 1-1 draw at home to Charlton Athletic. The Blues have conceded at least one goal in each of their last seven matches.

Team News

Chris Wilder will be without Chiedozie Ogbene as he recovers from his hamstring injury. Oliver Arblaster and Tahith Chong have made more strides towards full fitness, whilst Tom Davies is still being treated with caution.

Birmingham will be without Bright Osayi-Samuel who is away on international duty for the Africa Cup of Nations. Ethan Laird is also out with a hamstring injury.

Sheffield United’s Impact Player For This Game

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 06: Patrick Bamford of Sheffield United celebrates scoring Sheffield United’s third goal of the game during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United and Stoke City at Bramall Lane on December 06, 2025 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Harriet Massey/Getty Images)

Patrick Bamford has been one of United’s best performers since being integrated into the matchday squad, and he’s struck up a good relationship with Tyrese Campbell up front. Bamford’s experience of leading the line in many a promotion charge can help the Blades massively as they attempt to climb up the league table as we approach 2026.

Bamford has already netted twice in six appearances, but it’s his work outside of the penalty area that’s really stood out. He applies educated pressure to the man on the ball, he knows how to use his body to draw fouls and hold up the ball, and this allows his strike partner like Campbell to use his athleticism and burst, with him now no longer feeling isolated at the top of the pitch.

While he is only averaging 47 minutes per game, he’s still managing to average two shots per game and almost one key pass per game. If he can continue to build on this form, he will be a vital piece to United in the second half of the campaign, though, the Blades must get him tied down to a contract extension; his current deal expires in January.

Birmingham City’s Impact Player For This Game

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 13: Demarai Gray of Birmingham City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Charlton Athletic at St Andrew’s at Knighthead Park on December 13, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)

The Blues have one of the most electrifying attackers in the entire Championship in Demarai Gray. In 21 appearances he has racked up nine total goal contributions (five goals and four assists).

Gray has frightening pace and great agility which makes him very difficult to defend in one-vs-one situations, and he offers a huge threat in transition. If Birmingham are going to get anything at Bramall Lane then Gray will likely have a say in that.

The Jamaican wide man averages 0.4 shot-creating actions via a take-on per 90 which ranks him in the 82nd percentile. Additionally, Gray often is the target of progressive passes, so the Blades will have a difficult job of starving him of the ball (he averages over nine progressive pass receptions, 91st percentile).

United still look shaky defending their box, and they won’t be glad to hear that Gray averages almost five crosses per 90 (81st percentile), and when you have huge targets like Marvin Ducksch and Lyndon Dykes to aim for, crosses are certainly going to be a big weapon for the visitors.

My Prediction

While Birmingham City are currently 13th in the Championship, Opta’s expected league table actually has them sitting in third place, meaning they are massively underperforming in terms of their performance metrics. The same can be said about the Blades too. United are currently 18th but Opta has them in fifth.

This is a huge game for both sides before Christmas, but more so for Sheffield United; they are still closer to the relegation zone than they are closer to the play-offs.

A win here would be a bigger statement for the Blades than many may realise. I do think Sheffield United get the win here in a tight affair, something like a 2-1 scoreline seems the best bet because both teams have scored in Birmingham’s last seven, and three more goals have been scored in seven of their last nine, whilst United have scored the opening goals in five of their last six games.

Stats taken from FBref and Opta.