Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson insists Sheffield United are in a false position at the bottom of the Premier League table.
He was asked that, given United's place in the table, he felt more confidence facing them in 2020/21 than in 19/20.
He replied: "I certainly remember the two defeats at the hands of a Sheffield United team last year that were sweeping all before them. What has surprised me is I see the same Sheffield United team [this year] that I saw last year.
"That is one of the anomalies of football: one year a group of players playing the football they play can enjoy the success Sheffield United have and this year of course they're rooted to the bottom of the table having been able to manage two points.
"As far as I'm concerned we're facing a team who are very difficult to beat. We're much more used to going into a game as underdogs… they have every bit as much of a chance, Sheffield United, of winning the game.
"It will be a question of which team can produce the best football and best performance tomorrow [Saturday, 2nd January]. Where they are in the table has no relevance tomorrow because you start at 0-0 and start from scratch."