Burnley return to Sky Bet Championship action on Boxing Day as the Clarets head to Bramall Lane to take on Sheffield United.

Scott Parker's side head to Yorkshire in strong form with a nine-match unbeaten run in the league and will be aiming to continue that against the Blades.

The Clarets currently sit 3rd in the Championship table prior to the Boxing Day clash and a victory for the visitors would lift Burnley into the automatic promotion places.

Thursday's opponents will be top of the league for Christmas this year, just four points ahead of the Clarets and the Blades are yet to lose on home soil this season.

How to watch

The game is available to watch in the UK on Sky Sports+ and to find out the EFL rightsholders countries showing the game live click here.

Live audio commentary will be available as usual via Clarets+ from 2:45pm on the day.

Full match highlights, goals and interviews will be available to view after the match on Clarets+ and across all social media channels.

Click here to view all our Clarets+ packages.

The opposition

Founding members of the Premier League, United actually netted the first ever Premier League goal as Brian Deane scored the opener in a 2-1 victory over Manchester United.

The Blades were relegated in 1994 and United remained outside the top-flight for 12 years despite being Second Division play-off final runners up twice and reaching the play-off semi-finals.

United were promoted back to the Premier League in 2006 under the guidance of Neil Warnock after finishing 2nd, United lasted just one season though after being relegated on the final day.

Following just four seasons in the Championship, things got tougher as United then suffered relegation in 2011 to League One and would go on to spend six years in the third tier.

After five seasons in League One, with three failed play-off attempts, Chris Wilder arrived at Bramall Lane in 2016 in a bid to get the Blades back up and that's exactly what he did, as the former Blade guided the club to the League One title in his first season.

United were then back in the top-flight by 2019, as Wilder's side secured a second promotion in just three seasons.

The Covid-19 pandemic brought a halt to the Blades' first season back in the top tier, but the Yorkshire side secured an impressive 9th place finish following 'Project Restart' in the summer of 2020.

However, relegation followed the next season in 2021 and it took United two seasons to return to the Premier League, after securing 2nd place two years ago behind the Clarets.

Although the Blades were then relegated back to the Championship last season, they have started the 2024/25 campaign strongly with the Sheffield side sat top of the league table.

In the dugout

Chris Wilder began his coaching career with Alfreton Town in 2001 and spent a year in charge, before returning to his former club Halifax Town in the summer of 2002 after being appointed manager of the Shaymen.

Wilder was in charge of Halifax for over 300 matches, before departing in the summer of 2008 to join Alan Knill as assistant manager at Bury.

A brief six month spell at Gigg Lane then saw Wilder join Oxford United, where he went on to spend six successful years with the U's including promotion to the football league, before resigning as boss in January 2014 to join Northampton Town.

After taking charge of the Cobblers in the relegation zone, Wilder guided Town to a mid-table finish and then to the League Two title the following season, achieving promotion to League One.

Following 18 months at the Sixfields Stadium, Wilder arrived at Bramall Lane for his first spell in charge in May 2016 and he ended the Blades' six year spell in League One with promotion to the Championship in his first season.

2019 then saw Wilder secure promotion to the Premier League following a 12-year spell out of the top-flight and the Blades were on the brink of a European place before Covid-19 halted the campaign, however they were still able to secure a ninth place finish.

Wilder left the Blades in March 2021, following relegation back to the Championship and went on to have spells with Middlesbrough and Watford, before returning to Bramall Lane last season.

Last time we met

20/04/2024 - Sheffield United 1 - 4 - Burnley (Bramall Lane)

Burnley: Muric, O'Shea, Taylor, Berge, Foster (Fofana 84), Assignon, Vitinho (Gudmundsson 70), Cullen, Esteve, Bruun Larsen (Brownhill 59), Odobert (Amdouni 84)

Unused substitutes: Trafford, Rodriguez, Benson, Ekdal, Tresor

Sheffield United: Grbic, Trusty, Hamer (Norwood 78), McBurnie (Brooks 78), Brereton Diaz, Ahmedhodzic, Bogle, Souza (Archer 68), Osborn, Arblaster, McAtee

Unused substitutes: Foderingham, Slimane, Larouci, Curtis, Holgate, Osula

Goals: Bruun Larsen 38', Assignon 40', Hamer 52', Foster 58', Gudmundsson 71'

What Scott Parker said

"First of all, I'm really pleased with where we are. It's halfway through the season and we're heading in the right direction.

"It's flown by to be honest, but we're in a really good place and I'm extremely pleased with where we are right now. The team have given me absolutely everything we have asked for and that's the reason we're in the position we are right now.

"We're now prepping the team for what is a huge fixture for both sides on Boxing day, but we're going there with a lot of confidence and determination.

"Chris (Wilder) and his team will be in a similar place, they will be looking forward to it I'm sure, but whatever the result is, I'm delighted with where we currently are and the progress we are making."

Officials

Referee: Oliver Langford

Assistant Referee 1: Mark Stevens

Assistant Referee 2: Nigel Lugg

Fourth Official: Ollie Yates