Preview: Sheffield United v Bolton Wanderers

Bolton Wanderers head to Bramall Lane to face Sheffield United in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday afternoon.

With that said, bwfc.co.uk highlights five key points to take into the fixture.

1. Squad Update

Pawel Olkowski has a problem with his ankle which will be monitored in the run-up to kick-off, while Mark Beevers' Achilles injury is still on-going.

Ben Alnwick is progressing well meanwhile with his back injury, but there are no other fresh injury concerns for the Whites following their midweek clash with Reading.

2. The Boss – Chris Wilder

Wilder started his playing career at Sheffield United and remained at the club for six years between 1986 and 1992, making 93 league appearances, scoring once.

He played for 11 teams in a 15-year career, including a long stay at Rochdale, before retiring at Halifax in 2001.

He then started his management career straight after retiring at Alfreton Town and spent one year there.

Wilder then managed Halifax Town, Oxford United and Northampton Town before returning to Bramall Lane as manager in 2016.

He won the Sky Bet League One title in his first season, earning him the LMA League One Manager of the Year for 2016/17, and has impressed ever since, with the Blades currently sitting third in the Sky Bet Championship league standings.

3. New Faces At The Lane

With their push for promotion in full flow, Sheffield United made several January signings to boost their chances.

Former Wanderer Gary Madine is the most notable January signing for this fixture, with him having joined the Blades from Cardiff City on loan for the rest of the season last month.

Northern Irish midfielder Oliver Norwood signed earlier in the window meanwhile from Brighton & Hove Albion for £2.2 million, bolstering United’s options.

The Blades have also signed Everton’s academy graduate Kieran Dowell on loan, adding youth to their attack after letting Leon Clarke leave for Wigan Athletic until the end of the season.

4. A Game To Remember v Sheffield United

Bolton 1-0 Sheffield United – Sky Bet League One 2016/17 opening day

Wanderers started as they meant to go on in the 2016/17 Sky Bet League One season as Jay Spearing led them to a well-earned victory over the Blades at the University of Bolton Stadium on August 6, 2016.

Heroic defending on the day gave Mark Howard a clean sheet in a game which Sheffield United threw everything at the Bolton defence.

It took 37 minutes for the deadlock to be broken as midfielder Spearing found himself open on the edge of the box to score one of the goals of the season as he powered home a full-volley from 20 yards out.

A bit of magic was needed to knock the wind out of the Blades on the day, and the former Liverpool man provided it with style.

Bolton took control from then on and were eventually promoted back to the Championship that season, along with Sheffield United.

To see highlights of that game, click on the video below.

5. Pay On The Day

Wanderers supporters will be able to buy tickets from the Away Ticket Office, which is situated next to the away turnstiles at Bramall Lane on Saturday afternoon.

Tickets will be sold from 1:30pm, but all ticket price bands will increase by £2 on the day.

Advanced sales from Bolton Wanderers are still available via the phone lines & in person at Bolton Central until 2pm on Friday 1 February, subject to availability.

After this time, no sales or refunds can be processed.

Advanced Sales Prices

Adults: £26
Over-60s: £18
Students with a valid NUS card and Under-22s: £16
Under-18s: £11

Matchday Prices

Adults: £28
Over-60s: £20
Students with a valid NUS card and Under-22s: £18
Under-18s: £13

Read Time: 3 mins