Sheffield United host Watford at Bramall Lane in a crunch Sky Bet Championship clash in the race for promotion.
Victory would see Sheffield Utd stay second and potentially extend their gap to third-placed Middlesbrough to seven points, should Boro lose elsewhere.
Watford meanwhile can go as high as fourth depending upon results elsewhere in the table.
Team News
George Baldock could return for Sheffield Utd after he missed their last eight matches with a hamstring injury.
Enda Stevens (muscle), Rhys Norrington-Davies and Rhian Brewster (both hamstring) remain ruled out.
Watford could welcome Craig Cathcart back into contention after he missed their last three matches with a groin injury.
Tom Dele-Bashiru (ankle), Edo Kayembe (calf), Dan Gosling (Achilles), Francisco Sierralta (foot), Tom Cleverley (thigh), Jeremy Ngakia, Samuel Kalu, Hassane Kamara and Joao Ferreira (all hamstring) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Sheffied Utd host Watford at Bramall Lane on Saturday 25 February in a 3pm GMT kick-off, albeit untelevised in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Sheffield Utd are winless in their last six meetings against Watford (D2, L4).
- Watford have won just one of their last six visits to Sheffield Utd (W1, D2, L3).
- Sheffield Utd have scored just one goal in their last six meetings against Watford, which came in a 1-1 draw at home on Boxing Day 2019 in Premier League.
- Paul Heckingbottom’s Blades are seeking to avoid three consecutive defeats for the first time since a five-match losing streak between March-April 2021.
- Watford have avoided defeat when they scored first in three of their last four away matches (W1, D2).
Prediction
Having suffered two consecutive defeats in which they have lacked their normal spark, Sheffield Utd now really could do with quickly resurrecting that spark because they struggled to match Millwall’s intensity last weekend, which showed in sloppy marking of Tom Bradshaw’s three goals.
Watford meanwhile simply were more clinical in a topsy-turvy encounter against West Brom where both teams pretty much matched each other throughout, yet the Hornets just had better end product which should motivate them to come and take the fight to the Blades.
Sheffield Utd though have scored first in all five home matches but if Watford can keep it tight and keep attacking the Blades’ defence, especially when sucking them high up the pitch then they might just snatch a draw.
Prediction: Sheffield United 1-1 Watford
Discussion about this post