Sheffield United make the trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace sitting in eighth position in the Premier League standings.

However, just three points separate the Blades and the Eagles, who have won just one of their last 10 matches in all competitions.

Match preview

Despite dropping down to eighth spot in the table, Chris Wilder will be the first to put everything into perspective, with a double-header against Manchester City and trips to Liverpool and Arsenal coming in their last six matches.

Nevertheless, the Blades manager will not want to use their tough run of games as an excuse for just five points being recorded from their last half-a-dozen outings.

United have dropped off in attack over a prolonged period of time, scoring just eight goals from their most recent nine matches in the top flight.

The Yorkshire outfit now only sit three points above 14th position, something which puts the onus on points needing to be recorded as soon as possible in order to avoid dropping into the bottom half of the table.

However, the arrival of Norway international Sander Berge is a remarkable coup for the club, and it may be the signing which makes the difference when it comes to trying to conclude the campaign in the top 10.

With Palace just three points adrift of a team who are earning widespread plaudits, Roy Hodgson will feel that his side are not far away from achieving the same goal as Saturday's opponents.

That said, despite a run of just two defeats from nine games in the Premier League, six draws have halted their surge towards the European places.

While Hodgson would have been delighted with a share of the spoils against Arsenal and Man City, losing at home to Southampton last week highlighted that his team may not make any further progress until more fresh faces come through the door.

The addition of Cenk Tosun could prove to be an astute piece of business, but the Turkish striker requires more help in the final third if Palace are return to form in the long term.

Crystal Palace Premier League form: WDDDDL
Crystal Palace form (all competitions): DDLDDL

Sheffield United Premier League form: DLLWDL
Sheffield United form (all competitions): LWWDLW

Team News

Palace are able to call upon Luka Milivojevic, who has recently been sat on the sidelines due to suspension.

Should he pass a fitness test, Christian Benteke will feature on the substitutes' bench, while Joel Ward is pushing for a start at right-back.

However, the likes of Mamadou Sakho, Patrick van Aanholt and Andros Townsend all remain out of contention through injury.

Regardless of whether he is registered in time, Berge will not be considered for a starting role at Selhurst Park.

John Lundstram is expected to get the nod over Muhamed Besic in the centre of the pitch.

Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
Guaita; Ward, Tomkins, Cahill, Riedeweld; Kouyate, Milivojevic, McArthur; Ayew, Tosun, Zaha

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Henderson; Basham, Egan, O'Connell; Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens; Sharp, McBurnie

We say: Crystal Palace 1-2 Sheffield United

United have been excellent on their travels this season and we feel that they will strengthen their away record on Saturday. While the fresh faces at Palace may give them a lift, they may struggle to break down a strong Blades backline.