Wrexham vs Sheffield United – Preview | OneFootball

Sheffield United will make a long trip to Wales on Boxing Day to face Phil Parkinson’s Wrexham.

Wrexham approach this fixture winless in their last give games, with their most recent result being a 2-1 defeat away at Swansea City. They have not kept a clean sheet in that time either.

The Blades destroyed ten-man Birmingham City 3-0 at Bramall Lane last weekend and it could’ve been much more. United are now seven points above the drop zone and nine points behind the top six.

Team News

Wrexham will be without experienced shot-stopper Danny Ward because of a hand injury; Ward has not featured since the end of August. Aaron James, Lewis Hunt and Liberato Cacace will miss this fixture, as will Issa Kabore who is away on international duty for Burkina Faso in the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Blades will continue to monitor Chiedozie Ogbene and Tom Davies. Meanwhile Sydie Peck could also miss the game with his calf issue. Ben Mee will be treated with caution, especially after the form that Tyler Bindon has displayed alongside Japhet Tanganga in recent games.

Wrexham’s Impact Player For This Game

PRESTON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 06: Kieffer Moore of Wrexham reacts during the Sky Bet Championship match between Preston North End and Wrexham AFC at Deepdale Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Preston, England. (Photo by Charlotte Tattersall/Getty Images)

Parkinson’s side are somewhat of a throwback Championship side in terms of how they operate and their directness. They will bombard the box with crosses from all different angles, and this is where Kieffer Moore could come back to haunt the Blades. Wrexham have registered the sixth-most total crosses so far in the campaign, and their 71 successful crosses is enough to rank them joint third-best in the division.

The towering Welsh striker has bagged eight goals already this season from a total of 7.99 expected goals. Moore averages over five touches in the opposition box per game (ranking in the 85th percentile compared to other Championship forwards), so he is making himself a nuisance. Plus, he averages almost eight aerial duels won per game (ranking in the 97th percentile), again, more proof that Moore is causing havoc for defences.

Japhet Tanganga and his partner (likely Tyler Bindon) will have to be at their absolute best against Wrexham. And the full-backs and wingers will need to act quick to close down their crossing attempts.

Sheffield United’s Impact Player For This Game

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 20: Gustavo Hamer of Sheffield United celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United and Birmingham City at Bramall Lane on December 20, 2025 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Jess Hornby/Getty Images)

Several players had great games last weekend for the Blades but Gustavo Hamer arguably put in his best showing of the campaign. He got a goal and an assist, but his contribution was far more than that. He showed great work rate to get back and help Sam McCallum, registering four defensive contributions, and he made six out of eight ground duels.

Wrexham could be starting versatile midfielder Ryan Longman in a right-wingback role on Boxing Day, so Hamer should be fancying his chances against him. While the 25-year-old has good amounts of energy, he certainly isn’t a standout right-sided defender.

Hamer inverting with McCallum overlapping should create plenty of opportunities for the Blades down their left.

My Prediction

Wrexham are two points above Sheffield United, however, Opta’s expected league table has the Blades in fifth whilst Wrexham are 18th. The Blades are almost ten non-penalty expected goals better off than the Welsh side. In addition, the home side are the fourth-worst defensive team in the league in terms of non-penalty expected goals given up, whilst United are the tenth-best side in the division in that same metric.

Stylistically, it will be a gruelling match, but I think it’s one the Blades can come out on top in. Sheffield United can win this one by a couple of goals.

Stats taken from FBref and Opta.