Roy Hodgson insisted that Sheffield United will not prove an easy opponent for Crystal Palace as the Eagles open 2021 against the Premier League's lowest team.
The Palace manager 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.