Sheffield United welcome Middlesbrough to Bramall Lane in a huge rearranged showdown in the race for the Sky Bet Championship play-offs.
Victory could see Sheffield Utd climb as high as fourth in the table if Blackburn lose elsewhere, whereas Middlesbrough themselves can go fourth with a win.
Team News
George Baldock could return for Sheffield Utd after a knock to his knee forced him to miss Friday’s draw against Nottingham Forest.
Rhys Norrington Davies and Conor Hourihane (both fitness) are doubts.
Enda Stevens (calf), Jack O’Connell, Chris Basham, Jayden Bogle (all knee), David McGoldrick (thigh) and Rhian Brewster (hamstring) remain absent.
Middlesbrough again look set to be without Riley McGree after a muscle injury kept the midfielder out of their last three matches.
Martin Payero (ankle), Sammy Ameobi and Darnell Fisher (both knee) remain ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Sheffield Utd have lost five of their last seven meetings against Middlesbrough (W2, L5).
- Middlesbrough have won just one of their last five league visits to Bramall Lane (W1, L4).
- Two of the last three clashes at Bramall Lane between Sheffield Utd and Middlesbrough finished in 2-1 results, with both teams taking one win apiece.
- Sheffield Utd have conceded just one goal in six home matches in 2022 (W4, D2).
- Boro have claimed just one point from their last four away matches (D1, L3).
Prediction
Despite having found themselves in a physical battle against Forest on Friday evening, Sheffield Utd can take heart from how they played with six of their eight shots placed onto target so I am expecting them to come into this match ready for another difficult contest.
Middlesbrough meanwhile found themselves in a scrap against fellow play-off contenders – Luton on Saturday, yet were clinical enough to clinch the win so will too be expecting a tricky battle here which they shouldn’t fear after recent performances.
Boro’s recent away form however has been flaky so a huge improvement will be needed especially given their poor form at Bramall Lane, although they do have ex Blades boss – Chris Wilder in charge who will know how his former team play which could be key.
Sheffield Utd though will be eager to quickly halt their two-match winless run because they can’t afford another defeat in this tight race for the play-offs, which could make a draw an attractive option if Boro can get on the front foot with the opening goal.
Prediction: Sheffield United 1-1 Middlesbrough
Result: Sheffield United 4-1 Middlesbrough
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