It is a crucial game for both sides on Wednesday evening as Sheffield United host their closest promotion rivals Middlesbrough.
United are on a thirteen match unbeaten run, in all competitions. While Middlesbrough have won seven of their last ten games in all competitions, losing the remaining three.
Both teams know how to score goals. The Blades have scored thirteen goals in their last six games. Boro have scored ten goals within that same period.
Sheffield United have been resolute at the back for the majority of the season, no team in the Championship have conceded fewer goals than them all season – conceding just 24 goals.
Middlesbrough are particularly leaky away from home having conceded at least one goal on thirteen occasions in their last fourteen away games.
In contrast, the Blades have scored at least one goal in ten of their last twelve home league games.
Sheffield United historically have done excellent at home against Middlesbrough, having been on the right side of a victory five times in their last six meetings. In this fixture last season, the Blades thrashed Boro 4-1, embarrassing their former manager Chris Wilder on his return to Bramall Lane.
As we look ahead to this huge match, I took a look at a Middlesbrough FC forum to gather their thoughts on Wednesday nights game:
“4-0 win to the Boro!”
“Will be tight I think, not sure which way it will go. Take a point? No, it doesn’t do us much good and would rather go at them to win, even if we lose the game. We may as well get 0 points as 1 point, but 3 will make a massive difference.”
“If we win then catching them is still possible but unlikely. Anything less then its the playoffs for us.
Regardless, getting anything from this game will be a bonus, three points would be unbelievable.”
“I hate Sheffield United, horrible club with horrible fans.
There behaviour during their win over Wrexham sums them up.
That said they are a very solid side and this will be our toughest game of the season but we can beat them”
“Echoing the previous poster in that I absolutely hate Sheff Utd and their fans but they’re a bloody good team, strong at home and we won’t win this.
Narrow loss or a 1-1 draw I reckon.”
“Think it could be in our best interests to abandon our usual beautiful football and make this game an ugly one?”
Bellend Boro
Rattled haha