Sheffield United are chasing a play-off spot as the Blades welcome Fulham to Bramall Lane on final day of 2021-22 Sky Bet Championship season.
Victory would see Sheffield Utd secure a play-off spot although a draw would also be enough if Luton or Middlesbrough lose elsewhere, whereas Fulham are playing for pride having already wrapped up promotion and the title.
Team News
Morgan Gibbs-White and Conor Hourihane are both considered doubtful for Sheffield Utd as the pair battle to recover from knocks in time for the match.
George Baldock (muscle) is set to return but Jack O’Connell, Charlie Goode, Jayden Bogle (all knee), Oli McBurnie (foot), David McGoldrick (thigh) and Rhian Brewster (hamstring) remain absent.
Fulham will be without Neco Williams as he recovers from a knee injury.
Terence Kongolo remains a long-term absentee as he recovers from a serious knee injury.
Stat Attack
- Sheffield Utd have won just one of three previous Championship meetings against Fulham (W1, L2).
- Fulham won their only previous visit to Bramall Lane in the Championship, in which the Cottagers snatched a dramatic 5-4 victory in November 2017.
- Tim Ream and Tom Cairney are the only two starters from that nine-goal thriller to still play for Fulham, whereas five of Sheffield Utd’s 11 starters are still with the Blades.
- Sheffield Utd’s Morgan Gibbs-White has converted 32 of his 83 shots onto target, with 10 of those shots resulting in goals.
- Aleksandar Mitrovic has played more minutes this season than he has done so in any single league campaign of his career, having played 3,767 minutes in 43 appearances.
Prediction
Although this looks like a daunting final day fixture, Sheffield Utd simply need to win to secure their place in the play-offs, although a draw would be enough if Middlesbrough fail to win or even better their goal difference or goals scored tally in the event that Boro do beat Preston.
Paul Heckingbottom will also be buoyed by how his Blades produced a second-half comeback response to falling behind at QPR last weekend, which could be crucial inspiration if similar happens here against a lethal Fulham attack which they need to look to silence throughout.
Marco Silva’s Fulham though are already promoted and have wrapped up the title so have nothing to play for, yet I can’t see them ending this stunning campaign quietly without one last victory if possible so I expect a huge scrap between two strong teams.
The first goal though will be crucial because if Sheffield Utd net early, they’re going to face a tough defensive task to protect that lead whilst chasing a second goal whereas victory could potentially be out of their grasp if Fulham get ahead because they will only grow more into the game.
If anything, this is going to be one tense scrap and both sets of fans will be crucial as the 12th man to the outcome of this match, although a draw would be a fair if nervy result for the hosts.
Prediction: Sheffield United 1-1 Fulham
Result: Sheffield United 4-0 Fulham
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