Sheffield United vs Watford Preview: Where to Watch, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News

Sheffield United and Watford should both head into their Boxing Day clash at Bramall Lane full of festive cheer, after notching impressive victories in their previous outings.

The Blades picked up three points for the third consecutive match with their 1-0 victory at Brighton and sparked excitement among clusters of fans - could a European push really be on? Fifth at Christmas and with 28 points from 18 games, why not?

The Hornets, meanwhile, tasted victory for just the second time this season, capitalising on errors from a below-par Manchester United in Sunday's 2-0 win at Vicarage Road. They won't be dreaming of Europe, but survival looks much likelier for Watford fans following that result.

Here's 90min's preview of the game.

Where to Watch?

When is Kick Off?	Thursday 26 December
What Time is Kick Off?	15:00 (GMT)
Where is it Played?	Bramall Lane
TV Channel/Live Stream?	Amazon Prime Video
Referee?	David Coote

Team News

A lack of injuries has played a huge part in the Blades' success, with Chris Wilder able to call upon similar and settled lineups for the majority of their fixtures this season.

Tactical rotation has often come in the forward areas and each of their five senior strikers has featured in various matches across the season so far. With a busy fixture list ahead of them, expect Wilder to switch up his attacking personnel in the coming weeks.

Watford's most significant injury concerns come in defence, with Nigel Pearson unable to call upon Daryl Janmaat, Sebastian Prodl and Jose Holebas.

However, the Hornets squad depth ensures they have plenty of cover in these areas. Injury-plagued duo Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck, perhaps unsurprisingly, remained sidelined.

Potential Lineups

Sheffield United	Henderson; Basham, Egan, O'Connell; Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens; McGoldrick, McBurnie
Watford	Foster; Mariappa, Kabasele, Cathcart, Femenia; Capoue, Hughes; Sarr, Doucoure, Deulofeu; Deeney

Stats Centre

Watford striker Troy Deeney has scored on six days of the week in the Premier League – the only day on which he has not found the net is Thursday.

The Hornets are unbeaten in their last four league meetings with Sheffield United, keeping a clean sheet each time.

United, however, have lost just one of their last five home league games against Watford, who have managed only nine goals from their last 14 league matches on the road.

Head-to-Head Record

Fans will be hoping for more excitement than October's 0-0 draw at Vicarage Road, when the Blades and Hornets managed a combined five shots on target in a forgettable 90 minutes.

That was the first meeting of the sides since 2011 and prior to the stalemate, Watford had won three consecutive fixtures - which were preceded by three Blades' victories on the spin.

Recent Form

The hosts have lost just one of their last 11 Premier League fixtures, picking up points against Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United along the way. Sitting pretty in fifth, they've defied all expectations and their fans are right to enjoy the dream of possible European qualification for as long as it lasts.

Wilder's brutal honesty has been refreshing at times this season, but he felt very much like the Christmas party pooper when he described talk of Europe as 'ludicrous' at this stage of the season.

Nigel Pearson's second game in charge resulted in a monumental win for Watford, who picked up three points for just the second time this season against Manchester United.

Performance levels have noticeably improved since the former Leicester boss took charge, and Watford now look like an organised side with more energy and desire.

Sheffield United	Watford
Brighton 0-1 Sheffield United (21/12)	Watford 2-0 Manchester United (22/12)
Sheffield United 2-0 Aston Villa (14/12)	Liverpool 2-0 Watford (14/12)
Norwich City 1-2 Sheffield United (8/12)	Watford 0-0 Crystal Palace (7/12)
Sheffield United 0-2 Newcastle (5/12)	Leicester City 2-0 Watford (4/12)
Wolves 1-1 Sheffield United (1/12)	Southampton 2-1 Watford (30/11)

Prediction

Surely it will be a close one and another hard-fought fixture, but Sheffield United will be hopeful of picking up three points here.

Watford will take heart from the fact that the Blades have already lost four of their home fixtures this season and will be ready to pounce if it's another Bramall Lane off day for the hosts.

Prediction: Sheffield United 1-0 Watford

Source : 90min