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Sunday 3rd January 2010
The FA Cup Third Round
Bramall Lane Stadium
Referee: Andy Hall
Kick-off: 15:00
Sheffield United V Queens Park Rangers
By The Godfather

After a poor performance and result at Portman Road on Bank Holiday Monday, Queens Park Rangers face a difficult FA Cup Third Round match away at Sheffield United on Sunday afternoon. The Super Hoops haven't won a match in this competition for nearly ten years. Yes, that's right, ten years! It's a rather embarrassing record, which surely has to end soon. Will it happen this weekend? Let's hope so - it would be nice to start the new year with a victory, after what was a depressing end to 2009.

Sheffield United

Season 2008-09 finish: 3rd place.

Manager: Kevin Blackwell

As we saw in the fixture between the two sides at Loftus Road a few weeks ago, Sheffield United favour a very direct and unattractive style of football. However, there is no doubt that in a league like the Championship, brawn and aggression can reap a lot of success. Last season, for instance, Kevin Blackwell and his team narrowly missed out on automatic promotion, eventually being defeated by Burnley in the play-off final.

The 2009/10 campaign, however, did not start particularly well for Blackwell's men. Despite a hard-fought victory in September's Sheffield derby, a seven-game winless run saw the Blades sink into mid-table mediocrity. However, things have improved recently, with United picking up five wins out of the last nine matches. This has propelled the club back into the play-off battle, with the team now sitting in 7th position.

United's squad is packed full of players proven at this level and, as a result, the fans will be expecting the team to embark upon a good run in the FA Cup. Kevin Blackwell will be viewing this as an important fixture.

Men to watch

With top scorer, Darius Henderson, likely to miss out through injury, Ched Evans could be given a place in the starting line-up. The 20 year-old striker, who has been repeatedly linked with a move to QPR in the past, joined the Blades from Manchester City for £3 million last summer. He has made 11 appearances for the Welsh national team. However, despite his undoubted talent and potential, Evans has only netted three goals so far this season.

Experienced centre-forward, Richard Cresswell, could partner Evans in attack. The 32 year-old enjoyed successful spells with York City, Preston and Leeds before signing for Stoke in 2007. Since the Potters' promotion to the Premiership, Cresswell has struggled to break into the first team. As a consequence, he signed for United on a three-month loan deal in September. Cresswell is a proven goalscorer at Championship level and must be marked closely. Having already netted against QPR this season, he will be feeling confident about Sunday's fixture.

United also have talented forward, Jamie Ward. The 23 year-old first gained a reputation at Chesterfield, where he scored 29 goals in a two-year spell. This impressive total attracted the interest of the Blades, who purchased him for £330,000 last January. The Northern Ireland U-21 international could pose a threat on Sunday afternoon.

In midfield, Stephen Quinn is expected to keep his place. The 23 year-old joined the Blades from Partick Thistle in 2005 and has since made 97 appearances for the club. The Irishman is a favourite with the fans, having picked up the Young Player of the Year award in 2008. He could play a key role in United's 2009/10 campaign.

Lee Williamson could play alongside Quinn in midfield. The 27 year-old is a player who always seems to perform well against Queens Park Rangers (you may remember him netting against the Rs in Watford's 3-0 victory at Vicarage Road last season and then sending a free-kick crashing against the bar in the return fixture). Williamson joined the Blades last summer for an undisclosed fee.

Kevin Blackwell also has experienced central midfielder, James Harper, at his disposal. The 29 year-old joined the Blades on a season-long loan from Reading (where he has made over 300 appearances). Harper is a product of Arsenal's youth academy and could provide the likes of Leigertwood and Faurlin with a stern test if he plays.

At the back, Chris Morgan could start. The 32 year-old has a reputation for throwing his elbows about, having fractured Iain Hume's skull last season. Fortunately, the Canadian went on to make a full recovery. Morgan, who has made 224 appearances for Sheffield United since signing for them in 2003, holds the record for the club's most red-carded player.

Matthew Kilgallon is likely to partner Morgan in the heart of defence. The 25 year-old joined the Blades from Leeds in 2007 and has since established himself as a first team regular. His efforts were rewarded when, at the end of last season, he was named as the Player of the Year.

With Paddy Kenny banned for 9 months for failing a drugs test, goalkeeper, Mark Bunn, will probably keep his place. The 25 year-old signed for Sheffield United from Blackburn Rovers on a six-month loan deal in August.

Previous Match

December 2009 - Paul Hart's QPR managerial debut got off to a disappointing start, as Queens Park Rangers were held by Sheffield United in a dull encounter at Loftus Road. Mikele Leigertwood gave the home team the lead within two minutes of the kick-off, his 20-yard shot ending up in the back of the net thanks to a deflection. Sheffield United equalised five minutes later, when a defensive mistake allowed Cresswell to tap home Toni Kallio's cross. There were few chances after that, the best of which fell to Ben Watson in the final minute of the match. Unfortunately, his header hit the crossbar. The Super Hoops probably deserved to win, having dominated the second half. In truth, though, this was two points dropped rather than one gained.

QPR Manager, Paul Hart: "I thought we played extremely well. In the second half we were excellent. It was wave after wave. I work with players to try to help them improve. I'm here to steady the ship. I think this is a great club and it's a privilege to be working here".

Queens Park Rangers 1-1 Sheffield United

Referee

Bad news, I'm afraid! Andy Hall will be taking charge of this FA Cup fixture, a referee who seems to enjoy handing out red cards to QPR players. You may remember him sending off Ben Watson in the home game against Reading earlier this season - for taking a free-kick early.

QPR Team News

Ben Watson and Tommy Williams have both returned to their clubs after disappointing spells with the Rs, whilst Hogan Ephraim has completed his loan period at Leeds United. Alejandro Faurlin and Gary Borrowdale could replace them in the starting line-up. Lee Cook is back in full training, but Gareth Ainsworth, Martin Rowlands and Gavin Mahon remain long-term absentees.

Prediction

Queens Park Rangers have not won at Bramall Lane since the 2005/06 season. In truth, they have a poor record away at Sheffield United. However, the Blades, despite their league position, looked like a distinctly average team in the fixture at Loftus Road a few weeks ago. But with such a dodgy defence, I can see the Rs conceding a couple of goals at least. I'm afraid I'm going to predict a narrow victory for United.

Sheffield United 2-1 Queens Park Rangers