Is Nottingham Forest vs Sheffield United televised? Kick off and team news ahead of City Ground fixture

Nottingham Forest host Sheffield United in the second Friday night game of the new Premier League campaign. The two teams are both aiming to bounce back from their opening day defeats in a huge clash at the City Ground.

Paul Heckingbottom’s men kicked off the season with a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to Crystal Palace, in a game where the Blades failed to register a single shot on target. Forest were also beaten in their opener and they suffered a 2-1 defeat in a tricky opener away to last season’s runners-up Arsenal.

The upcoming clash marks the first meeting between the two sides since the Championship play-off semi-final in 2022.  On that occasion, Forest prevailed through a tightly fought penalty shootout at the City Ground.

The Premier League fixture is highly anticipated by both sets of supporters. But when does the game kick off and is it live on TV?

Here is everything you need to know.

When is Nottingham Forest vs Sheffield United?

Nottingham Forest’s clash with Sheffield United takes place on Friday 18 August. It is Forest’s first home match at the City Ground in the 2023/24 season and the game will kick off at 7.45pm. (UK time)

Is the game on TV?

Sheffield United’s visit to Nottingham Forest has not been chosen for live TV coverage and there is no Premier League fixture booked in for the Friday evening TV slot.

The fixture was originally scheduled to take place on Saturday 19 August, but cricket matches taking place at the neighbouring stadium Trent Bridge would have caused congestion issues.

Trent Rockets take on Birmingham Phoenix in back-to-back women’s fixtures and authorities have chosen to avoid a fixture clash between the two teams.

Team news

Sheffield United striker Oli McBurnie is hoping to make his first appearance of the new season after a foot injury in preseason. McBurnie scored 15 goals in all competitions last season and could offer the Blades a vital boost on their travels to The City Ground.

The Blades may also give first team debuts to new signings Tom Davies and Gustavo Hamer. Rhian Brewster is being eased back into training following hamstring surgery and Rhys Norrington Davies is continuing his rehabilitation, but both players are unlikely to feature. John Fleck, Ismaila Coulibaly and Jayden Bogle are other notable absentees for Paul Heckingbottom’s side.

Nottingham Forest are expected to start Taiwo Awoniyi, who scored from from the subs bench against Arsenal. Anthony Elanga is also pushing for a starting spot and he provided the assist for Awonyi at the Emirates Stadium. Omar Richards, Felipe, Harry Toffolo and Wayne Hennessey are all missing from the game with injury.