Sheffield United will kick off their preparations for the 2020-21 campaign with a friendly against Scottish top-flight side Dundee United on Tuesday afternoon.
The Blades finished their 2019-20 Premier League season with a 3-1 loss at Southampton on July 26, but Dundee United have already played five Scottish Premiership games this term, having started their new campaign at the start of the month.
Match preview
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Dundee United started their 2020-21 Scottish Premiership season with a 1-1 draw against St Johnstone on August 1 and have since picked up two wins from their four matches to collect seven points from five matches.
They will enter this game off the back of a 1-0 home defeat to Celtic on Saturday, but it has been an encouraging start to the season for Micky Mellon's side, who were absent from the top tier of Scottish football for four seasons before securing first in the Championship last term.
The Terrors are next in competitive action away to Kilmarnock on Saturday afternoon and are sure to provide strong opposition for Sheffield United, considering that they have five competitive games under their belt.
Mellon is expected to make wholesale changes to his side, but Nicky Clark should again feature, and the 29-year-old will be looking to add to the two goals that he has already managed in the league this season.
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As for Sheffield United, this will be the team's first match since they suffered a 3-1 defeat to Southampton in their final Premier League game of the 2019-20 campaign on July 26.
The Blades were in contention for a top-four finish in the Premier League before the lockdown period but were ultimately made to settle for ninth as they struggled for consistent form after returning to the field.
Chris Wilder's side, who actually lost their final three league games of the season, will face Dundee United, Derby County and Preston North End ahead of their 2020-21 opener against Wolverhampton Wanderers on September 14.
It will be fascinating to see how the Blades perform next term, and there is no question that their first priority will be to secure another campaign of top-flight action, despite managing a top-half finish on their return.
Aaron Ramsdale could make his debut, having arrived in a big-money deal from Bournemouth, but there will be no Dean Henderson on display as the Englishman has returned to parent club Manchester United.
Phil Jagielka, Jack Rodwell and John Egan are also all expected to feature fresh from signing new deals.
Dundee United form (2020-21 season): DWLWL
Sheffield United form (last six Premier League): DWWLLL
Head To Head
These two teams have locked horns on two previous occasions, both in the Texaco Cup in 1973. The first clash in September ended in a goalless draw, before Dundee United ran out 2-0 winners in October.
We say: Dundee United 1-2 Sheffield United
Dundee United should be in a much better place in terms of match fitness, and they impressed against Celtic at the weekend. Sheffield United will take a strong squad to Tannadice, though, and it would not be a surprise to see Wilder's side pick up the victory.
Matt Law
