With the 2025/26 Championship campaign getting underway this weekend, arguably the standout game of the first matchday comes at Bramall Lane as Sheffield United take on Bristol City.
At the end of last season, these two sides faced off in the play-off semi-finals, with the Blades hammering the Robins 6-0 on aggregate, courtesy of a couple of 3-0 wins home and away.
The Sporting News has you covered with a full preview and the latest tips and odds for this one, as Sheffield United and Bristol City renew hostilities on the opening weekend of the Championship season.
MORE: Full Championship season preview, predictions and latest odds for title, relegation and promotion
Sheffield United vs. Bristol City prediction
Sheffield United are embarking upon a new era with Ruben Selles replacing Chris Wilder, and they may start slowly as they get up to speed with his style of play, with Bristol City also having had to replace Liam Manning with former Barnsley boss Gerhard Struber.
With both sides feeling their way into the campaign, siding with the draw in this one may well be a good bet at 13/5 with Sky Bet, while Sheffield United are 8/11 and Bristol City are out at 7/2.
The Sporting News' Score Prediction: Sheffield United 1-1 Bristol City
- The draw is rated as a 27.8% implied chance between Sheffield United and Bristol City by Sky Bet for this Championship clash, with United the favourites with an implied 57.9% chance.
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Sheffield United vs. Bristol City predicted lineups
Sheffield United predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left)
- Cooper (GK) — Sachdev, Bindon, Robinson, Burrows — Soumare, Ukaki, Hamer — One, Cannon, Barry
Injured: Davies (muscle), Shackleton (foot), Arblaster (leg)
Suspended: None
Bristol City predicted lineup (3-4-2-1, right to left)
- Vitek (GK) — Vyner, Tanner, Atkinson — McCrorie, Randell, Knight, Roberts — Mehmeti, Twine — Riis
Injured: O’Leary (ankle), McNally (knee), Pring (ankle), Bird (calf), Williams (ankle)
Suspended: Dickie
Sheffield United vs. Bristol City latest odds, correct score betting
Our 1-1 prediction is at good odds with Bet365, but there are plenty of other possible score lines that are worth looking at to add some value. Here's some of the most likely according to the bookmakers.
Result | Odds* |
Sheffield United 1-0 | |
Draw 1-1 | |
Sheffield United 2-0 | |
Sheffield United 2-1 | |
Draw 0-0 |
*Click odds to bet direct with our selected partners. Odds correct at time of publish.
Back your correct score pick with Bet365 for £30 in free bets from a £10 stake
Sheffield United vs. Bristol City team news
- Ruben Selles has his work cut out after the departures of Anel Ahmedhodzic and Vinicius Souza from Sheff Utd this summer. They also have some key injury issues, too, as captain Ollie Arblaster remains sidelined.
- Much like Sheffield United, Gerhard Struber has quite a few decisions to make for this season. The Robins have managed to keep key man Jason Knight at the club, though, for the team to be built around.
Sheffield United vs. Bristol City Bet Builder tips
Our bet builder for this clash has Sheffield United to have the most shots on target in the game with Tom Cannon to have two or more shots on target, plus Gustavo Hamer to make three or more fouls in the match.
That selection is currently at just under 7/1 with Sky Bet, while you can check out the latest odds and bet direct with our selected partners using the bet builder tool below.
Sheffield United are tipped up to win this game by Sky Bet and, despite TSN believing it will be a lot closer than that, they should have the better of the game at Bramall Lane.
Cannon is likely to now be trusted as the main man up-front, and so backing a couple of shots on target from him is a good bet.
Gus Hamer is an all-action midfielder who can be a hot head at the best of times, so three or more fouls in a bitty United midfield is also a good shout.
How to watch Sheffield United vs. Bristol City: Live stream, TV channel
- Date: Saturday, August 9
- Venue: Bramall Lane, Sheffield, England
- Time: 5:30 p.m. BST
- TV/Stream: Sky Sports, Sky Go