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Sheffield United will be hoping to do something for the first time in nine years vs Birmingham City Five talking points ahead of Sheffield United’s Championship opener against Birmingham City on Saturday evening. Sheffield United will be targeting an opening-day win when they face Birmingham City in their Championship curtain-raiser at Bramall Lane this teatime. The Blades, who are unbeaten in their last five league games against the Blues, made a winning start to the 2026/27 campaign last weekend, beating League One side Mansfield Town 3-0 at the One Call Stadium in the first round of the Carabao Cup. Although United have experienced a frustrating summer off the pitch, struggling to add new signings to Chris Wilder’s squad, their results on the pitch since the summer break have been encouraging, with four wins and two draws from their six pre-season friendlies before last Sunday’s victory at Mansfield. However, with the Championship being United’s bread and butter this season, their pre-season form will count for nothing if they fail to get a positive result against the Blues. Ahead of the clash with Chris Davies’ side, here are five pre-match talking points: Any changes? With last Sunday’s trip to Mansfield presenting United’s players with a final audition to try to force their way into Wilder’s starting XI for the clash with Birmingham, all eyes will be on the Blades chief to see what his first Championship starting line-up of the season looks like. The Blades boss went with a strong side against Nigel Clough’s team, handing starts to the likes of Michael Cooper, Japhet Tanganga, Sydie Peck, Callum O’Hare and Patrick Bamford. Although United have struggled to bring new players in as quickly as they would have hoped this summer, Wilder still has a competitive squad to work with, with plenty of competition for places in several areas of the team. For example, following Kalvin Phillips’ return to Bramall Lane earlier this week, Wilder now has five midfielders competing for two starting berths. The most likely change to the starting XI that lined up in Nottinghamshire last weekend is expected to come at left-back, with Rhys Norrington-Davies expected to drop out. Sam McCallum, who missed the win over Mansfield through illness, and Harrison Burrows are competing to replace him. Searching for a fast start After losing each of their first six Championship matches last season, United’s promotion hopes were all but over before the end of September. Former manager Rubén Sellés lost each of his first five league games in charge, leading to him being axed less than three months into the job, before Wilder returned and lost six of his first nine back in charge. It meant the Blades lost 11 of their last 14 Championship matches last term. United started last season with a 4-1 home defeat to Bristol City, marking a fifth defeat in their last six opening day matches. The Blades have won just one of their last eight opening day assignments, beating Preston North End 2-0 at Deepdale in August 2024. As a side note, United will also be hoping to end their run of losing each of their last five opening day home games, with their last win at Bramall Lane on the opening day of the season coming against Brentford (1-0) in 2017. Third time lucky? If United are going to make a winning start to the season, they will have to try to beat Birmingham on the opening day of the season in the Championship era for the first time. Since the English Football League was rebranded in 2004/05, the Blades and Blues have previously met twice on the opening day in the Championship. First, in 2008, Birmingham beat the Blades 1-0 at St Andrew’s via a stoppage-time winner from Kevin Phillips. Then, in 2021, Maxime Colin sealed a 1-0 win for the Blues at Bramall Lane. That marked Birmingham’s last league win over the Blades. Bamford’s Blues record After getting himself on the scoresheet against Mansfield last time out, Bamford will be keen to add to his tally and open his Championship account for 2026/27 on day one. The striker has been a big success since joining the Blades last November, scoring 14 goals in his first 30 appearances for the club. Two of his 14 goals in United colours came against Birmingham last season, with the former Chelsea man on target in the Blades’ 3-0 win at Bramall Lane and their 1-1 draw at St Andrew’s. His effort against the Blues at St Andrew’s in March increased his tally of goals against them to six, meaning he has not scored more goals against any other side in his senior career. The 32-year-old has also netted six goals against Aston Villa, Cardiff City, Ipswich Town and Wigan Athletic. Chong vs Donovan With Andre Brooks leaving Bramall Lane to join Norwich City earlier this summer, Wilder must decide who will be United’s first-choice right-winger moving forward. Romelle Donovan has arrived from Brentford on a season-long loan to strengthen that department, meaning he will now compete with Tahith Chong for a starting berth. The latter got the nod at Mansfield last weekend but was forced off in the first half and was replaced by Donovan after just 29 minutes. Fortunately, Wilder confirmed after the game that his early withdrawal was a precautionary move. It means it remains to be seen who will start on the right flank against the Blues. Chong will be aiming to make up for lost time this term after a difficult maiden season at Bramall Lane, while Donovan will be hungry to impress in what is set to be his first full season as a regular in the Championship. Whoever gets the nod, both players will be eager to impress against their former club.