Chris Wilder's Sheffield United are expected to line up in their usual aggressive, high-energy style — formation not confirmed, but you know the blueprint: overlapping centre-backs, wing-backs bombing on, and a midfield that hunts in packs. They'll look to pin Birmingham back from the first whistle, using Bramall Lane's famous atmosphere to push the tempo. The 3-1 win over Huddersfield showed they can carve teams open, and Wilder will want his side to be ruthless in the final third.

Birmingham's setup is harder to predict — their coach and formation are not confirmed in our research, which tells you they're still a work in progress. Expect them to sit deep, stay compact, and try to hit on the break. They'll likely flood the midfield to stop Sheffield United from playing through them, but that's easier said than done against a side that thrives on second balls and half-space runners. The Blues will need to be disciplined, but they'll also need a moment of magic to trouble a defence that should be solid at home.

The key battle will be in the middle of the park. Sheffield United's double pivot will look to dominate possession and feed the wide areas, while Birmingham will try to make it a dogfight — scrappy, physical, and low on space. If the Blades get an early goal, the game opens up and they can pick Birmingham apart. If the Blues hold firm, it could become a frustrating afternoon. But at Bramall Lane, with Wilder's side in this mood, the pressure is on the visitors to survive.