Sheffield United will finally host Queens Park Rangers tonight in the SkyBet Championship (kick-off; 7:45 pm) after the initial fixture on 13th December was postponed due to a Covid-19 outbreak in the opposition. After a disappointing result last Saturday, Paul Heckingbottom will be looking for maximum points to guide them back into the top six.
A 1-0 defeat at Stoke City saw the Blades slide down the table and into eighth, however, a victory tonight would put United back in the top six with six league matches remaining. A dire performance saw United leave Staffordshire empty-handed after John Egan’s unfortunate own-goal on 78 minutes proved to be the games’ only goal.
Despite the defeat, the Blades were boosted by the return of a duo, right wing-back George Baldock, and centre-half Ben Davies, who both started at Stoke and are likely to retain his place tonight. However, Paul Heckingbottom is without Chris Basham (MCL), Jayden Bogle (knee), Jack O’Connell (knee), as well as forwards Rhian Brewster (hamstring) and David McGoldrick (thigh).
Former Queens Park Rangers defender Jack Robinson is likely to be included in the side to face his former club. Meanwhile, a new signing, Croatian international defender Filip Uremović, 25 could make his debut tonight after being an unused substitute in the defeat at the Bet365 Stadium.
Robinson was signed by the London club in August 2014 from Liverpool and immediately sent out on loan to Huddersfield Town in a season long loan. He returned to Loftus Road and had to wait until April 2016 until he made his Hoops debut, playing 90 minutes in a 2-1 victory over Charlton Athletic. During his time in London, he found opportunities scarce and played 42 times during his four-year tenure, and netted twice – both goals coming in a 2-1 win at Birmingham City in December 2017. In July 2018 he signed for Nottingham Forest.
These two sides last met on 12th January 2019 at Bramall Lane. United had lost 1-0 at Loftus Road earlier in the campaign but in the Steel City, it was the Red and White Wizards who were triumphant, beating the Hoops 1-0 after David McGoldrick had headed home Oli Norwood’s cross past keeper Joe Lumley on 37 minutes. The victory guided United to third in the table behind leaders Leeds and second-placed Norwich. The Blades would end the season in second behind the Canaries.
Throughout the season, QPR has looked strong contenders at making the top six and battle for a place in next season’s Premier League, but one victory in their last six matches has seen the Hoops slide down the table and begin tonight’s match a place behind their opposition in ninth. After claiming a 2-1 victory at Luton on 12th March, they have since lost home matches against Nottingham Forest (1-3), and to league leaders Fulham (0-2) last weekend.
Hoops boss Mark Warburton comes into this fixture with a short injury list and is expected to field a side similar to the one which lost to Fulham at the weekend. They are without keepers Jordan Archer (leg), and Seny Dieng (muscle), as well as forward Chris Willock (leg) ahead of their trip to the Steel City.
Last Six Meetings
04.04.2011 – Queens Park Rangers 3-0 Sheffield United (Championship)
04.01.2015 – Queens Park Rangers 0-3 Sheffield United (FA Cup 3)
31.10.2017 – Queens Park Rangers 1-0 Sheffield United (Championship)
20.02.2018 – Sheffield United 2-1 Queens Park Rangers (Championship)
11.08.2018 – Queens Park Rangers 1-2 Sheffield United (Championship)
12.01.2019 – Sheffield United 1-0 Queens Park Rangers (Championship)