The Blades travel to Cardiff City on Saturday for their final game before the world cup break, with a chance to go to the top of the league.
Sheffield United was handed a shock 1-0 defeat in midweek, by the hands of local rivals Rotherham United, to put a stop to their winning streak. After a poor performance, Paul Heckingbottom’s men will be motivated to send the United faithful into the world cup break with a win this Saturday. They have a slim chance of leapfrogging into 1st place as well.
Cardiff City has won twice in their last seven games – losing the other five. The Bluebirds are currently in 18th place and are 4pts above the relegation zone. Under Mark Hudson, Cardiff has averaged 1.3 points per game.
Former Blade Callum Robinson comes into this fixture perhaps with a chip on his shoulder as he faces Sheffield United. Robinson scored and assisted in Cardiff City’s 3-2 defeat against Hull City in midweek.
The Bluebirds have been the 14th-best home team in the Championship, scoring nine goals and conceding nine goals. While United are the 2nd best away side in the division, scoring twelve goals and shipping eight goals.
I take a look at a Cardiff City forum to see where their confidence levels are at before the game:
Just hope we can go into the World cup break with a positive result. With Kipre Wintle and Billy Jean and the inclusion of Bagan get us to be more solid defensively and more positive going forward.BLUEBIRDS
New manager bounce, City 2-0.
On another forum, users said:
This league more unpredictable than ever so fingers crossed we can pull of a shock. Thank goodness our main men will be back.
Would hate to go into break hovering above relegation.
Hoping for a win, but will settle for a draw.
1-1.
I do worry that, god forbid, he will play Nelson and revert to 5 at the back as a lot of Utd’s goals come from set pieces and headers.
I’m not sure about playing Colwill or Harris as you wouldn’t expect them to be flying into tackles just before a world cup.