Sheffield United welcome Bristol City to Bramall Lane in a crucial Sky Bet Championship clash.
With Luton not in action until Wednesday evening, Sheffield Utd can move eight points clear of the third-placed Hatters with victory.
Bristol City meanwhile can climb into 13th position in the table with a win.
Team News
Anel Ahmedhodzic could return for Sheffield Utd after he missed their comeback win over Cardiff for personal reasons last weekend.
Chris Basham (back) is also doubtful after he too was absent last weekend.
Wes Foderingham (suspension), Jack O’Connell (fitness), Rhys Norrington-Davies, Ben Osborn and Rhian Brewster (all hamstring) remain ruled out.
Bristol City could welcome Alex Scott into starting line-up contention following his return from a knee injury, having made a substitute appearance in their defeat at Watford last weekend.
Rob Atkinson, Ayman Benarous (both ACL), Tomas Kalas (knee) and Joe Williams (hamstring) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Sheffield Utd host Bristol City at Bramall Lane on Tuesday 18 April in a 7:45pm BST kick-off, televised live on Sky Sports Red Button in UK.
Stat Attack
- Sheffield Utd have won two of their last five league meetings against Bristol City (W2, D1, L2).
- Bristol City have won three of their last five league visits to Sheffield Utd at Bramall Lane (W3 L2).
- Sheffield Utd have kept three clean sheets in their last four meetings against Bristol City in all competitions (W3, D1), except for 1-1 at Ashton Gate in April 2022.
- All 13 of Iliman Ndiaye’s league goals for Sheffield Utd this season haven’t come from the penalty spot.
- George Tanner is the only Bristol City player to have been shown a red card in 42 matches this season.
Prediction
With their two nearest promotion rivals not in action until Wednesday, Sheffield Utd have to maximise their opportunity to keep the pressure on Luton and Middlesbrough by winning this game, especially given that they’re starting a hectic run-in with seven games within 20 days.
Manager, Paul Heckingbottom and his squad though could have one eye on their FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City on Saturday, although I do expect them to prioritise this game and deliver another clinical performance but cut out their sloppy start which put them behind against Cardiff.
Bristol City meanwhile were simply sloppy in their defeat at Watford with poor pieces of defending whilst their attack lacked much end product, although they did have some good moments but were crucially denied by Daniel Bachmann so improvement is needed here.
I however don’t see Nigel Pearson’s Robins having enough quality in them to beat Heckingbottom’s Blades if the hosts are at their best, although a point could be possible if Sheffield Utd take their eye off the ball with a view for their FA Cup trip to Wembley.
Prediction: Sheffield United 2-0 Bristol City
Result: Sheffield United 1-0 Bristol City
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