Sheffield United host Bristol City in the second leg of their play-off semi-final in the 2024-25 Championship.
With a 3-0 aggregate lead from the first leg, Sheffield Utd know that victory or a draw will see them progress although a loss by one or two-goal margins will also be enough.
Bristol City simply must win by a four-goal margin to stand any chance of advancing to the play-off final.
Team News
Femi Seriki could return for Sheffield Utd after he missed the first leg with a shoulder injury.
Ben Brereton Diaz missed the first leg due to illness but is expected to be fit for selection.
Oliver Arblaster (ACL), Rhys Norrington-Davies (groin) and Jamie Shackleton (foot) remain ruled out.
Bristol City will be without Rob Dickie following his red card in the first leg.
Ayman Benarous (fitness), Luke McNally (ACL), Harry Cornick (hamstring) and Mark Sykes (quad) remain ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Sheffield Utd host Bristol City at Bramall Lane on Monday 12 May at 8pm BST, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Sheffield Utd won their only previous play-off match against Bristol City by 3-0 result, which came in the first leg of this tie at Ashton Gate.
- Bristol City have avoided defeat in four of their last six league visits to Sheffield Utd (W3, D1, L2)
- The Robins have only once won by a four-goal margin away to Sheffield Utd, which came in a 4-0 win in October 1910.
- Sheffield Utd have lost just one of their last six home matches (W3, D2, L1).
- Liam Manning’s Robins have won just one of their last 15 away matches (W1, D7, L7).
Prediction
Having battled their way to a comfortably clinical away first-leg victory, Sheffield Utd can afford to relax a bit here but I expect them to go for a strong line-up and try to kill this tie early, especially as Bristol City just need to score first and ideally early to kick-start a potential comeback.
This play-off semi-final tie though was always going to be a huge ask for Manning’s Robins and now 3-0 down on aggregate, they simply have to just come out and try to score first otherwise it will be simply about trying to get a positive performance to use as a base to build upon next season.
Either way I just don’t see Bristol City completing any comeback here but if they can stay cool like in the first half of their home leg, they might be able to get a draw as Sheffield Utd will surely have one eye now on Wembley.
Prediction: Sheffield Utd 1-1 Bristol City
Result: Sheffield Utd 3-0 Bristol City (Sheffield Utd win 6-0 on aggregate)
Leave a Reply