Sheffield United vs Southampton: Capital One Cup match preview

A look ahead to the quarter-final of the Capital One Cup at Bramall Lane

Premier League side Southampton travel to League One’s Sheffield United for a place in the Capital One Cup semi-final on Tuesday night.

The Saints sit fifth in the Premier League thanks to a superb first half of the season but their recent form suggests the winter fixtures have taken their toll on Ronald Koeman and his players. The club will look to bring an end to a disastrous two weeks which has seen them lose four in a row with a convincing win against United.

Southampton top scorer Graziano Pelle will be unavailable due to suspension. Morgan Schneiderlin was an initial doubt for the fixture but looks set to feature in the fixture. Meanwhile, Sheffield United will be without the cup-tied Paddy McCarthy.

KICK-OFF: Tuesday, 7.45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Southampton 1 (Surman) Sheffield Utd 2 (Halford, Ward), Championship, February 2009

Sheffield Utd 0 Southampton 0, Championship, October 2008

Southampton 3 (Saganowski, John 2), Sheffield Utd 2, (Quinn, Stead), Championship, May 2008

STATS…

Tuesday’s fixture will be the first between the two clubs in the League Cup.

Sheffield United lie 18 in the League One form table with only one win in six fixtures.

The two sides have faced each other five times in cup competitions – with two each and a draw all coming in the FA Cup.

This fixture often guarantees attacking football with 14 goals in the last five fixtures between the two sides.

ODDS…

Sheffield Utd to win: 6.5

Southampton to win: 1.5

Draw: 4.3

TV: Highlights on BBC One on Wednesday at 11.05pm