In the first round of the EFL Cup, Sheffield United are set to host Wrexham at Bramall Lane on Tuesday.
The home side began their 2024-25 season in the Championship with a 2-0 win against Preston North End on August 9, while the visitors beat Wycombe Wanderers 3-2 on August 10 in the first game of their League One campaign.
Match preview
The hosts took the lead against Preston with their first attempt thanks to Ollie Arblaster's deflected strike in the 12th minute.
Sheffield United doubled their advantage in the 55th minute when Gustavo Hamer audaciously lobbed Freddie Woodman from outside the penalty area after he spotted the goalkeeper backpedalling towards goal.
It should be noted that Preston had 12 shots in comparison to the Blades' 11 and had eight efforts inside the box, double that of Chris Wilder's side.
Wilder will be thrilled that his team have already overcome their two-point deduction, a sanction they faced as a result of defaulting on transfer payments in the 2022-23 campaign.
Last season, Sheffield United were eliminated from the EFL Cup at the first time of asking as Lincoln City beat them 3-2 on penalties on August 30, 2023.
The Blades have failed to progress from their last three ties in the competition, and of their six most recent eliminations, they have been knocked out on penalties four times.
Opponents Wrexham secured back to back promotions under the ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney and are embarking on their first campaign in League One since 2004-05.
In their opening game of the 2024-25 season, the Red Dragons beat Wycombe thanks to goals from Max Cleworth, Jack Marriott and Steven Fletcher.
Manager Phil Parkinson will have been delighted with his side's victory, but he will be concerned that his team conceded 19 shots, 15 of which were inside their penalty area.
Wrexham have only participated in nine EFL Cup matches, with seven of those games having taken place in 2007 or earlier.
Last season, the visitors managed to reach the second round after beating Wigan on penalties, before then losing on penalties themselves against Bradford City.
The last time Wrexham played Sheffield United in the EFL Cup was in September 2004, a game that the Welsh team lost 3-2.
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Team News
The hosts will be without Jamie Shackleton until September due to a knee injury, while Sam McCallum is still recovering from a hamstring issue and is likely to miss out.
Tyrese Campbell could make his first appearance for Sheffield United on Tuesday after signing for the club on Sunday.
As for the visitors, Paul Mullin could return to action sooner rather than later given boss Parkinson said he was back out on grass on August 8, but he is unlikely to be risked.
Elsewhere, Wrexham could name a similar XI from their game with Wycombe against Sheffield United, so expect the likes of Ollie Palmer and Andy Cannon to start at Bramall Lane.
Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Grbic; Seriki, Souttar, Robinson, Burrows; Brewster, Souza, Arblaster, Slimane; Peck; Campbell
Wrexham possible starting lineup:
Burton; Barnett, Scarr, O'Connell, O'Connor, McClean; Cannon, Dobson, Lee; Dalby, Palmer
We say: Sheffield United 2-1 Wrexham
Although Wrexham have done remarkably well to earn back to back promotions and reach League One, they could find it difficult against Championship side Sheffield United.
However, if their game against Wycombe is anything to go by, the Red Dragons will make the Blades work for the victory.
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