2024-25 Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs: Semi Final First Leg – Bristol City vs Sheffield Utd

Bristol City host Sheffield United in the first leg of their play-off semi-final in 2024-25 Sky Bet Championship. 

Liam Manning’s Robins finished sixth in the league table to set up this play-off semi-final against Sheffield Utd, after Chris Wilder’s Blades missed out on automatic promotion in third place.

 

Team News

Cam Pring could return for Bristol City after he missed their last two games with a hamstring injury.

Ayman Benarous (fitness), Luke McNally (ACL), Harry Cornick (hamstring) and Mark Sykes (quad) remain ruled out.

Sheffield Utd will be without Femi Seriki after he suffered a shoulder injury in their 1-1 draw against Blackburn.

Oliver Arblaster (ACL), Rhys Norrington-Davies (groin) and Jamie Shackleton (foot) remain ruled out.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Bristol City host Sheffield Utd at Ashton Gate on Thursday 8 May at 8pm BST, live on Sky Sports in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Bristol City are yet to lose to Sheffield Utd in EFL Play-Offs (W1, D1), although their only previous play-off meeting in 1987-88 season was a promotion/relegation play-off tie.
• Sheffield Utd lost 1-0 in their only previous play-off visit to Ashton Gate in May 1988.
• Bristol City are winless in their last six league meetings against Sheffield Utd (D2, L4).
• Ross McCrorie has scored three goals in Bristol City’s last two home games (W1, D1), which saw them beat Sunderland 2-1 then drew 2-2 against Preston.
• Sheffield Utd have won one of their last four away games (W1, L3).

 

Prediction

Having snatched a play-off spot from 2-0 down at home to Preston on the final day, Bristol City can’t afford to be as sloppy as they were for much of the opening hour of that game as they need to be more defensively organised and clinical if want to make this first-leg home advantage count.

Sheffield Utd meanwhile have been inconsistent in recent weeks but they did make seven changes against Blackburn which made sense with nothing to play for, so a draw isn’t a bad result and those returning will bring a fresh energy in a game where they will start as favourites.

Bristol City though have lost just one of their last 15 matches at home and will have confidence from their fightback to draw against Preston, but Sheffield Utd should be good for a draw despite their atrocious play-off record and then look to get the job done at home.

Prediction: Bristol City 1-1 Sheffield Utd

Result: Bristol City 0-3 Sheffield Utd