Sheffield United will be aiming to continue their magnificent home record when they entertain Nottingham Forest tomorrow night (kick-off 7:45 PM) in front of the Sky cameras. A victory would see the Blades march into fifth with a greater goal-difference than their promotion rivals, QPR. However, United must get past an in-form Forest side first!
Since Paul Heckingbottom’s appointment on 25th November, the Blades have lost twice in the fourteen league games they have played – both were away at Derby County and Millwall last weekend, which ended in a 1-0 defeat. Impressively, the Blades haven’t lost a fixture in all competitions at Bramall Lane since Blackpool claimed a 1-0 victory on 30th October, and are now seven home games unbeaten!
The 1-0 defeat suffered at Millwall last Saturday came as a huge disappointment and a slight blow to the Blades promotion push. Jake Cooper’s goal on 61 minutes was the first goal that United stopper Wes Foderingham had conceded in 540 minutes of consecutive football.
United come into this fixture without strikers Rhian Brewster (hamstring), David McGoldrick (thigh), as well as wing-back Jayden Bogle (knee). The trio is sidelined through injury and is expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the season. However, former Forest striker, Billy Sharp, and defender Jack Robinson are both likely to face their former club.
The two teams met earlier in the campaign, on 2nd November, and ended all square in a 1-1 draw despite the Blades taking a one-goal lead at the City Ground. After a goalless first-half, Morgan Gibbs-White finished off a good Billy Sharp move on 78 minutes. However, United’s lead didn’t last long after substitute Lewis Grabban latched onto Brennan Johnson’s cross five minutes later to level.
Nottingham Forest may have their eyes turned slight ahead on next Monday’s encounter at home to Huddersfield, as Forest look to advance in the FA Cup. They come into this fixture having suffered one defeat in their last ten outings in all competitions. They were victorious in their last fixture, securing a 2-0 victory at home to Bristol City.
Reds boss Steve Cooper will be boosted by the return of keeper Brice Samba, who returns to the Forest squad after serving a two-match suspension following his red card in the 2-2 home draw with Stoke City on 12th February. However, they will be without defenders Loic Mbe Soh (thigh), and Jordi Osei-Tuti (ankle), through injury. Striker Grabban (ankle) is also sidelined.
Last Six Meetings
16.02.2014 – Sheffield United 3-1 Nottingham Forest (FA Cup Round 5)
30.09.2017 – Nottingham Forest 2-1 Sheffield United (Championship)
17.03.2018 – Sheffield United 0-0 Nottingham Forest (Championship)
03.11.2018 – Nottingham Forest 1-0 Sheffield United (Championship)
19.04.2019 – Sheffield United 2-0 Nottingham Forest (Championship)
02.11.2021 – Nottingham Forest 1-1 Sheffield United (Championship)