Sheffield United host Bristol City this weekend in the opening weekend of the Championship season. Sheffield United met Bristol City in the play-offs last season, with the Blades securing 3-0 victories in both legs. After losing in the final to Sunderland, SUFC will now be hoping to go a step further and get promoted back to the Premier League. Over the summer, Chris Wilder was replaced by former Hull City boss Ruben Selles, who will be hoping to make a winning start to his time at Bramall Lane. Selles’ arrival has also been accompanied by player changes, leaving his ranks somewhat bare. There have been notable departures for the Blades, including Vini Souza, Anel Ahmedhodzic and Rhian Brewster. There have also been arrivals at Bramall Lane, with sought-after winger Louie Barry joining the ranks, alongside Djibril Soumare, Tyler Bindon and Ehije Ukaki. Bristol City surprised many last season after finishing 6th and reaching the play-offs, something they will aim to repeat this campaign as they prepare for their opener against Sheffield United. However, there has also been large change at Ashton Gate, after Liam Manning’s move to Norwich City. He has been replaced by Austrian Gerhard Struber, who will aim to make a positive start to his tenure with the Robins. There has also been movement for Bristol City in their striker position. Nahki Wells left the club to join Luton Town but has been replaced by Emil Riis, who scored 12 Championship goals for Preston North End last season. https://the72.co.uk/2025/08/07/sheffield-united-bristol-city-prediction-the72-2/ 'He's a monster' - Gerhard Struber https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport.../hes-monster-gerhard-struber-details-10405773 Hirakawa 'feels good' in wing-back position https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ce8347l0vn2o Gerhard Struber explains how his Bristol City will address common complaint from last season against Sheffield United https://eflanalysis.com/opinion/ger...nt-from-last-season-against-sheffield-united/ Bristol City - How will the Championship finish? Daniel Carter Bristol City reporter Promoted: Ipswich Town, Southampton Play-offs: Sheffield United (winners), Birmingham City, Norwich City, Coventry City Relegation: Hull City, Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday Surprise package: Millwall How would you assess the Robins' work so far? It has been a summer of change at Bristol City. The departure of Liam Manning and the appointment of Gerhard Struber feels like an awfully long time ago already, but that switch in the dugout has left a sense of uncertainty about just what should be expected of the Robins this term. While the majority of the squad that secured a first top-six finish in 17 years last term remains in place, and some smart additions have been made, it remains to be seen if Struber can replicate his predecessors’ success. The addition of Emil Riis is the standout of the summer. The Dane appears to be, on paper at least, the proven forward the Robins have been looking for, while Adam Randell, Joe Lumley, and Radek Vitek add some much-needed depth. Further additions would be welcomed by fans and the head coach alike, but exits seem required first. Perhaps the most positive aspect of the Reds’ window so far has been the lack of major outgoings. Club captain and last term’s Player of the Year, Jason Knight, remains in the West Country, and City’s chances of success this term will be boosted if that remains the case when the window closes next month. please log in to view this image Jason Knight played every minute of Championship football available last season(Image: EFL) Player to watch: Ross McCrorie. The Scotland international has had a difficult time with injuries since he arrived at Ashton Gate from Aberdeen two years ago, but showed just how good he can be in the final weeks of last season. He’s carried on his knack of scoring goals from wing-back over the course of pre-season and could carry a real threat in Struber’s system. Where will the Robins finish? 9th. With a period of transition expected following the change in the dugout and a stronger Championship likely this time around, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see City slip a couple of places. With that said, there is every chance the Robins could finish lower but pick up more points in the process. Preview: Sheffield United vs Bristol City - prediction, team news, lineups please log in to view this image Sheffield United pre-season form: WWWWL Bristol City pre-season form: WDWW We say: Sheffield United 1-0 Bristol City Sheffield United possible starting lineup: Cooper; Seriki, Bindon, Robinson, Burrows; Peck, Hamer; Barry, Hamer; Campbell, Cannon Bristol City possible starting lineup: Vitek; Dickie, Vyner, Tanner; McCrorie, Knight, Randell, Hirakawa; Twine, Riis, Mehmeti https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/footba...city-prediction-team-news-lineups_578785.html
From memory I think that is the lowest number of points for any team getting into top 6 play off's ....always been 70+? but football is football it is what a team does over 46 games better than any other!!! 68pts and 7th or 8th would have been a fine achievement I AM HOPING FOR 68 pts + this year, whilst difficult to guage the quality of the teams structure 9f the teams it does seem to be more likely to be equally as fortunate to be in top 6 chasing all season each year there seems to be 2 or 3 a head above the rest so maybe it will be 4th/5th/6th positions a battle of 12 teams [ last season lge end = games won were 396 drawn games 156*** ] *** there were 552 match's played drawn P N E ........ 20 W B A ...... 19 City .............17 Cardiff ........ 17 Burnley ....... 16 Sheff ............ 8 Coventry ...... 9 lost Sheff ......................10 Sunderland ...........12 City ........................12 Coventry ................17 we need to convert just 4 drawn games to wins ... = 76 points == W 21 D 13 L 12
I can’t see us getting anything from this game tbh. A draw would be a great result. Not panicking though. It takes the first 4 or 5 games to settle in.
I am putting my head on the line city to win this.I was at Sheff Utd a few years ago first game of the season and we won. Let’s hope history repeats itself.
R&W, the rumour was all over otib. Don't know about you but Twine, Yu and Mehmeti look lightweight compared to Sheff Utd. In Struber we trust....for now.
I SORT OF LIKE THE LINE UP............... CAN NOW DO MY FINAL TRANCHE THIS WEEK IRRESPECTIVE OF TODAYS RESULT [ which is forcasting as a lost! ]
It’s what he does so well, just need some more creative from him when the balls in play. Nobody has ever doubted his set piece ability
Just arrived in Bristol so haven’t been following the game. 1-1 so far - not bad. Twine has always been good at set pieces. It’s the rest of his play that is lacking. He’s a one trick pony - but does that one trick very well!!!
