Sheffield United began last season in the Championship as a team that had just lost in the playoffs. With a new manager, the Blades produced a run of six consecutive defeats in official matches, which prompted the club's leadership to bring back Chris Wilder to the managerial post. Since then, Sheffield United's form has gradually improved, but the team was unable to contend for promotion. The Blades stopped experimenting with the managerial position - soon it will be a year since Wilder's last appointment. The club entered the new season with serious ambitions, but not among the strongest chances for promotion among the Championship's current participants. The Blades' transfer campaign was notable for the fact that they did not spend a single penny. New players joined the club either as free agents or on loan. Undoubtedly, Sheffield United started the current season significantly better than the previous one, but not at a level high enough to emphasize their status as real contenders for promotion to the Premier League. Wilder's players have lost only once in six matches, but three times dropped points through draws. In the last round, Sheffield played away at Blackburn Rovers, conceding to the host club in the 20th minute, but went in at halftime ahead and later sealed a 2-1 victory. Wolverhampton Wanderers last season became the first Premier League club to be relegated to the Championship. It seemed the Wolves had been preparing for life in England's second tier since winter. Accordingly, Wolves adapted to the Championship more quickly than the recently relegated West Ham and Burnley. Although the visitors trail their upcoming opponent by one point, they have played one game fewer. Their sole defeat came in London to an in-form West Ham. In the previous round, César Peixoto's side drew in Birmingham against the similarly named strong outfit. Wolves twice went ahead, but allowed their opponents to level quickly - 2-2. Given the venue for the match, the teams' chances appear evenly matched, though the Wolves have a slightly higher class of players.