Sheffield United host Championship play-off chasing Preston North End at Bramall Lane.
With promotion sealed and the title now out of reach, Sheffield Utd have nothing left to play for coming into this match.
Preston meanwhile can go seventh if Sunderland lose elsewhere with West Brom not in action until teatime, whilst Blackburn don’t play until Monday.
Team News
Sheffield Utd have no fresh injury concerns to report after defeating West Brom in midweek but manager, Paul Heckingbottom could opt to rotate his squad as the Blades face three games in nine days to conclude this season.
Jack O’Connell (fitness), Rhys Norrington-Davies, Ben Osborn and Rhian Brewster (all hamstring) remain ruled out.
Preston will be without midfielder, Robbie Brady for a second consecutive game, after he missed their 1-1 draw against Blackburn due to a calf injury last weekend.
Greg Cunningham (hamstring), Alan Browne, Emil Riis (both knee) and Ched Evans (unspecified) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Sheffield Utd host Preston in a 3pm BST kick-off at Bramall Lane on Saturday 29 April, untelevised in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Sheffield Utd are unbeaten in their last five league meetings against Preston (W3, D2).
- Preston are unbeaten in three of their last five visits to Sheffield Utd (W2, D1, L2).
- Sheffield Utd have scored twice in each of their last three meetings against Preston (W1, D2).
- Paul Heckingbottom’s Blades have conceded just one goal in their last four home games (W4), during which they have netted eight goals.
- Preston have kept just one clean sheet in their last five away matches (W2, L3), which came in a 2-0 win at QPR in April 2023.
Prediction
With promotion now wrapped up but the title beyond their reach, Heckingbottom now has a tough decision to make because this is Sheffield Utd’s last home game so the squad will be eager to continue celebrations on home turf with another home win after dominating West Brom on Wednesday.
This game is also a chance for Heckingbottom to give some fringe players a run out to assess them heading into the summer break, whilst respecting the tight play-off race which Preston are involved in.
Preston meanwhile did incredibly well to dig out a draw against Blackburn last weekend with a stubborn defensive display – even if they rode their luck at times like for their crucially deflected equalising goal.
Ryan Lowe’s Lilywhites though will be buoyant by their decent form at Sheffield Utd but they will have to be at their best, whilst hoping that the Blades are mentally on the beach but I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a draw if Preston can’t score first which could well be crucial to their play-off dreams.
Prediction; Sheffield United 1-1 Preston
Result: Sheffield United 4-1 Preston
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