Promotion-chasing Sheffield United host Preston North End at Bramall Lane in a huge Championship clash.
Victory would move second-placed Sheffield Utd level on points with league leaders, Leeds – although the latter holds a significantly superior goal difference advantage.
Preston can climb as high as 12th depending upon results elsewhere.
Team News
Alfie Gilchrist is ruled out for Sheffield Utd after he missed their win at QPR with an ankle injury.
Oli Arblaster (ACL) and Sai Sachdev (leg) remain absent.
Preston could be without Stefan Thordarson after he missed their last two matches with a hamstring injury.
Mads Frokjaer-Jensen (knock), Duane Holmes (fibula), Jordan Storey, Ben Whiteman (both ankle) and Jack Whatmough (calf) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Sheffield Utd host Preston at Bramall Lane on Saturday 8 March at 3pm GMT, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Sheffield Utd are unbeaten in their last seven league meetings against Preston (W5, D2).
- Preston have won one of their last five league visits to Sheffield Utd (W1, D1, L3).
- Sheffield Utd have scored first in their last seven league meetings against Preston (W5, D2).
- Only one of Ben Brereton Diaz’s three goals this season for the Blades were scored at home.
- Preston have lost three of their last six away matches (W2, D1, L3).
Prediction
Following their defensive implosion against Leeds a fortnight ago, Sheffield Utd bounced back at QPR with a clinical win but they can’t afford to lift the gas with Burnley hot on their heels so I expect more of the same quality here.
Preston though now have ex Blades boss, Paul Heckingbottom in charge who knows his former team’s style pretty well but they must be more clinical than they were against Swansea, especially if they want to stay in touch with their play-off rivals going into the run-in.
I however just can’t see Sheffield Utd losing on their own turf although Preston really should give them a good game if can continue their defensive improvement of their last two games.
Prediction: Sheffield Utd 1-0 Preston
Result: Sheffield Utd 1-0 Preston
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