Sheffield United and Everton will be desperate for their first point of the 2023/24 Premier League season when they clash at Bramall Lane this Saturday afternoon.
Sheffield United and Everton are two of four clubs yet to manage a single point after the first three rounds of fixtures. But while the host of this tie, United have managed to find the back of the net twice this season, the visitors were yet to score a single goal but conceded six goals thus far in three outings.
Defender Luke Thomas could make his Sheffield United debut after completing a loan move from Leicester City, while Max Lowe and Ben Osborn are set for prolonged stints on the sidelines with ankle and groin injuries, respectively.
Everton’s new signing Beto could make his first start after scoring as a substitute on his debut in midweek during the League Cup.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who does not need surgery on a facial injury, and Dwight McNeil, who has an ankle problem, will have late fitness tests.
Head-to-head:
Sheffield United are aiming for back-to-back Premier League win over Everton for the first time since 1992-93.
Everton are unbeaten in their last four league visits to Bramall Lane (W2, D2), winning the last two.
There have been only eight goals in Sheffield United’s last eight league home matches versus Everton, with four for each side.
The last four Premier League meetings between these teams has been won by the away side.
Sheffield United have lost their first three matches of this Premier League campaign.
In their most recent top-flight season in 2020-21, they lost their first four matches, and did not win any of their first 17 league games.
The Blades can lose each of their opening three home matches of a league season for only the third time, after 1908-09 and 1954-55.
Sheffield United are averaging seven shots a game, fewer than any other top-flight side so far this season, while also facing more than any other side (23.3 per game).
Everton are yet to score or pick up a point in the top flight this season.
They could become only the second team to lose each of their opening four games of a Premier League campaign without scoring, after Crystal Palace in 2017-18.
Everton are winless in their last six Premier League away games against promoted sides (D3, L3), failing to score in four of those matches.
Everton have lost each of the last nine league games that Alex Iwobi hasn’t played in.
