Ipswich Town head to Bramall Lane, and the whole thing feels a bit awkward to pin down. Not in a dramatic way, just one of those fixtures where you look at both teams and get the sense it could swing in any direction. McKenna brings an unbeaten side, and that’s not some marketing line; they’ve […]
Ipswich Town head to Bramall Lane, and the whole thing feels a bit awkward to pin down.
Not in a dramatic way, just one of those fixtures where you look at both teams and get the sense it could swing in any direction.
McKenna brings an unbeaten side, and that’s not some marketing line; they’ve genuinely carried themselves like a group that doesn’t panic. They turn up, do their job, and move on. Nothing fancy.
Sheffield United are the opposite right now. Wilder’s trying to drag them back into something that resembles a steady team, but every time they look settled, something knocks them off again.
It’s been that kind of season for them.
Kieran McKenna seems like the kind of person who really considers what he’s going to say before he opens his mouth.
He doesn’t really cause a scene on the sidelines, but you can tell his teams are well-prepared, which speaks volumes about his coaching.
They generally seem to have things figured out, pass the ball nicely, and don’t appear to be in a hurry. When games get a bit awkward, you can still tell he really trusts the process and sees it through.
It’s less about fleeting moments and more about building something solid that lasts.
Chris Wilder is just built differently. He’s a loud guy, super intense, and totally into it from start to finish.
Playing against his teams is tough because they mirror his own style: straightforward, strong, and always ready to compete.
He’s seen enough as a manager to know exactly when he needs to dig in to get the job done, and he’s not one to back down from that kind of challenge.
You can always count on a Wilder to put in the work, even when things get a little messy.
Ipswich 3rd (P27,W14,D8,L5) 50 Points
Sheffield United 17th (P27,W10,D2,L15) 32 Points
So the gap between them isn’t just the numbers on the table. One side looks settled, the other still trying to find something that sticks for more than a week.
Looking back at these games, there isn’t really a clear pattern. A couple of tight ones, a couple where one side just took their moment, and then that big one in 2025 that doesn’t really match anything that came before it.
Most of the older meetings were cagey, low‑margin stuff where neither team ever really got away.
It’s the kind of record where you can’t pull much from it. Different managers, different squads, different stakes every time.
Some matches drifted, some got scrappy, and a few were decided by one mistake or one decent finish.
Nothing in there gives you a clean read on what comes next.
Ipswich will probably stick with their regular 4-2-3-1 formation. It’s a good system for them because it helps them really control the middle of the field.
The two holding midfielders really get to set the pace and keep things secure in the back, so the attacking players up front can just do their thing without worrying too much.
This also gives Ipswich more options up front, letting their wide players cut inside and back up the striker.
Sheffield United will likely go with a 4-4-2 setup, aiming to keep things basic and tight.
This design is really sturdy and tough, you know? It’s all about discipline and a lot of teamwork to keep it going strong.
On the sidelines, we really want to see lots of energy and good passes. Up front, the two players need to work as a team, trying to get on the end of crosses and any loose balls that come their way.
26 Dec 2025, Millwall v Ipswich Town, 0-0, Championship
29 Dec 2025, Coventry City v Ipswich Town, 0-2, Championship
01 Jan 2026, Ipswich Town v Oxford United, 2-1, Championship
17 Jan 2026, Ipswich Town v Blackburn Rovers, 3-0, Championship
20 Jan 2026, Ipswich Town v Bristol City, 2-0, Championship
26 Dec 2025, Wrexham v Sheffield United, 5-3, Championship
29 Dec 2025, Stoke City v Sheffield United, 1-2, Championship
01 Jan 2026, Sheffield United v Leicester City, 3-1, Championship
17 Jan 2026, Charlton Athletic v Sheffield United, 1-0, Championship
21 Jan 2026, Southampton v Sheffield United, 1-0, Championship
Ipswich Town Predicted SXI: Walton, Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, Davis, Matusiwa, Taylor, Walle Egeli, Szmodics, Clarke, Hirst
Ipswich’s Injuries: Townsend (ACL), Philogene (Knee), Chuba Akpom (Groin), Marcelino Núñez (Knock)
Sheffield United Predicted SXI: Cooper, Hoever, McGuinness, Mee, Burrows, Chong, Peck, Arblaster, O’Hare, Bamford, Cannon
Sheffield United Injuries/Suspensions: Tanganaga and Soumare (Suspended), Riedewald (Hamstring)
Ipswich come into this match looking like the more settled team, with better recent form and confidence. They have been strong defensively and have taken their chances in attack, while Sheffield United have been inconsistent, especially in away matches.
If Ipswich get on the front foot early and set the pace, they should be able to manage the match and close it out without much trouble.
Prediction: Sheffield United 0-2 Ipswich Town
