Sheffield United travel to the Riverside Stadium tomorrow searching for their first victory for 25 years.
Dane Whitehouse and Brian Deane were on the scoresheet the last time they claimed a victory at the Riverside Stadium, which was in their first appearance at their new stadium on 5th October 1997. Since then, the Blades have made seven trips to the Riverside Stadium in both league and cup, drawing once, in 2009, and losing on six occasions. If the Blades are to gain maximum points, then they will have to overcome a hoodoo that has challenged them for two and a half decades.
The last time the Blades faced the Boro, they came out 4-1 victory over promotion rivals Middlesbrough at Bramall Lane on 8th March 2022. An energetic first half saw the Blades sail into a quickfire two-goal lead through Sander Berge on 23 minutes, and Billy Sharp two minutes later. After the break, Jack Robinson half-volleyed home from a well-worked corner on 59 minutes, and three minutes later, Folarin Balogun, netted a consolation for the visitors before Morgan Gibbs-White showboating gave United the fourth goal ten minutes from time.
Paul Heckingbottom’s side comes into this fixture following a Carabao Cup tie at West Bromwich Albion last Thursday night, which saw the Blades bow out at the first hurdle – following a 1-0 defeat, and leaving United with league matters to attend to, until January when we see the third round of the FA Cup.
United made several changes at the Hawthorns, to the side which comfortably beat Millwall. The side which faced the Lions will likely be similar at the Riverside Stadium this weekend.
Last 6 Matches
12.08.2017 – Middlesbrough 1-0 Sheffield United (Championship)
10.04.2018 – Sheffield United 2-1 Middlesbrough (Championship)
07.08.2018- Middlesbrough 3-0 Sheffield United (Championship)
13.02.2019 – Sheffield United 1-0 Middlesbrough (Championship)
28.09.2021 – Middlesbrough 2-0 Sheffield United (Championship)
08.03.2022 – Sheffield United 4-1 Middlesbrough (Championship