Sheffield United will be aiming to regain a place in the Play-Off zone tomorrow night, under the lights, when they host SkyBet Championship promotion rivals Middlesbrough at Bramall Lane (kick-off; 7:45 pm), and welcome back their former boss, Chris Wilder, for the first time since he left the Blades last year.
Sheffield United continued their magnificent home form with a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest last Friday night. Neither side could be faulted for believing that it was two points lost. Forest’s argument would be failing to convert chances after looking dangerous for the majority of the match. Blades stopper Wes Foderingham kept out a one-on-one situation and expertly stopped Brennan Johnson’s penalty from hitting the net on 34 minutes. In the second half, he tipped a driving effort onto the bar.
In the second-half, United, against the run of play, the Blades took the lead on 69 minutes through former Reds striker Billy Sharp after he headed home Morgan Gibbs-White’s timed cross from the right. The goal deflated Forest and the win looked destined to swing in the way of the hosts before Ryan Yates headed home James Garner’s corner five minutes deep into stoppage-time.
The result came as a disappointment, however, the Blades retained a good record at Bramall Lane and are now undefeated in eight home matches. The last time that they tasted defeat on home soil came against Blackpool after they claimed a 1-0 victory on 30th October.
Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom will be without defender Charlie Goode through suspension, following his red card at home to Blackburn Rovers on 23rd February. It will be his third and final match absent from the squad and will be made available for selection at Coventry City this Saturday.
The Blades will also be without fellow defenders Jayden Bogle, and Jack O’Connell (both knee), forwards Rhian Brewster (hamstring), and David McGoldrick (knee). The quartets are expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the season. Meanwhile, right wing-back, George Baldock, may be in contention after he missed the draw with Forest on Friday night, after he trained today with the first team. Otherwise, it is anticipated that the line-up will be more-or-less unchanged.
Last 6 Matches
09.04.2011 – Sheffield United 1-2 Middlesbrough (Championship)
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)