Blades to sharpen Championship title tilt
Sheffield United travel westwards to face Wigan Athletic on Monday evening at the DW Stadium. The visitors are in great form and are vying for the EFL Championship top spot with fellow yo-yo club Burnley. Meanwhile, the hosts are in trouble at the other end of the table. Read our preview here:
Whatmough could you ask for?
Former Premier League defender Kolo Touré drew his first game in charge of The Latics (and indeed as a manager) away to Millwall, and will be looking to build on that solid result back on home soil. Prior to his appointment, the Greater Manchester side leaked goals not heavily but consistently, and that is the first thing he needs to change to ensure they remain in the second tier. He'll look to the likes of Jack Whatmough to step up and be counted, especially with Jason Kerr still on the sidelines. In attack, Will Keane is the chief goalscorer despite playing off Nathan Broadhead, and more from the latter would definitely help the cause.
On the Berge of something special
Sander Berge looks a certainty to move to a top tier side in the winter transfer window, but Paul Heckingbottom will hope to extract both the maximum fee and output until any departure from the steel city is confirmed. The Norwegian midfielder is very progressive and creative with the ball, and his height ensures he rarely loses any aerial battles in the middle of the park. With six first team absentees, a lot of the onus will be on him and Iliman Ndiaye (fresh from helping Senegal reach the last 16 of the World Cup) supplying Oli McBurnie with killer balls to finish.
Betting tip
bet365 have odds of 2.10 for Heckingbottom's men to keep the pressure firmly on the Clarets at the summit of the league with another win.
