It wasn’t the best start to the Sky Bet Championship season for Sheffield United, but this weekend against Norwich City, Chris Wilder’s side will be looking for a second successive league victory.
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After last season’s play-off push, expectation levels were high at Bramall Lane heading into the new season, but the Blades suffered two defeats in their opening two fixtures.
However, last weekend, they narrowly beat QPR, and against Norwich will be looking to build some momentum.
The Canaries haven’t enjoyed the best start either, picking up just a single point from a possible six.
Daniel Farke’s side drew at Birmingham City, before West Brom edged them out in a seven-goal thriller.
At this early stage of the season, and with two evenly matched squads, the result could go either way at the weekend.
Here at FLW, we take a look at the two squads, identifying what we believe is the strongest combined XI…
There’s no denying what Tim Krul has done previously in his career, but Henderson is young and is showing what a top goalkeeper he is.
It’s a big year for the Man United loanee in the Championship, but he looks up to the challenge.
It was a tough start for Egan at Bramall Lane, but he will grow into Wilder’s 3-5-2 system and justify his transfer fee.
Hanley has been superb for Norwich, and rightfully, is carrying the captain’s armband this season.
Any chance Farke’s side have of success will come down to his performances.
The 24-year-old looks so comfortable at this level, and if he keeps progressing as he is, he will be playing in the top-flight before long.
Baldock was key for the Blades last season, with his form down the right impressive.
The 32-year-old has a wealth of experience, and has over 160 league appearances under his belt for the Canaries.
He edges out Oliver Norwood, who we are yet to see in the Championship.
Fleck is another that was key for the Blades last season, with the midfielder carrying Wilder’s side in the absence of Paul Coutts.
Like Baldock on the opposite side, Stevens was key last season, with the ex-Portsmouth full-back bringing balance for the Blades.
Marshall was really impressive on-loan at Millwall last season, and Farke will be hoping he can find that same level of form for the Canaries this season.
Clarke scored 19 goals in the Championship last season, proving a lot of his doubters wrong.
He leads the line in our side.
Hernandez has started the season with two goals for Norwich.
Farke will be hoping that the forward can keep up his goalscoring form.