Sheffield United already have blueprint to beat Fulham in crucial clash despite notable changes

'Now let's get the party started' was the message on Fulham's official Twitter account following their 7-0 thrashing of Luton on Monday. Sheffield United fans are hoping it went on long into the night and has continued throughout the week ahead of this Saturday's crucial encounter at Bramall Lane.

The result at Craven Cottage, which confirmed Marco Silva's men as champions, not only made several thousand Blades supporters take a sharp intake of breath, but it also helped them at the same time. The defeat for the Hatters saw United move up to fifth on goal difference and also saw Luton's goal difference column take a battering.

Although few sides will want to face a team in this type of form on the final day of the season needing a win, Paul Heckingbottom's men will take comfort from their encounter back in December. A wonderful solo effort from Iliman Ndiaye secured a fabulous win in west London in only Heckingbottom's third game in charge.

Much has changed since then, of course. Most notably the team line-up. Back then, Jayden Bogle featured at right wing-back and was putting together an impressive understanding with Chris Basham down that side, while Morgan Gibbs-White started in a number 10 role behind Iliman Ndiaye and striker Billy Sharp.

Not only is Bogle out for the season, but Sharp is the other notable change with the striker suffering a torn calf in training last Monday. Heckingbottom has started without a striker in the last three matches and although those injuries mean a change of shape for the reverse fixture, what won't change is the blueprint for how to beat Saturday's opponents.

On that night in December, in the week before Christmas, United executed their tactics to perfection, frustrating the hosts as