Sheffield United and Stoke City meet in the Championship on Saturday as they look to bounce back from damaging defeats on Easter Monday.
Sheffield United make the trip to Stoke City having seen their automatic promotion hopes ended on Monday. SUFC could have kept their slim chances of a top-two finish alive by avoiding defeating against Burnley, but they were beaten 2-1 at Turf Moor.
Josh Brownhill scored either side of Tom Cannon’s first goal for the Blades. The result secured Burnley’s promotion while sending Yorkshire rivals Leeds United up in the process.
Chris Wilder’s side will finish this season 3rd in the Championship table and despite nothing being at stake in the last two games, strong performances will be targeted to enter the play-offs with momentum.
As for Stoke City, they welcome Sheffield United to Staffordshire off the back of a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of promotion-winners Leeds United.
The Potters were 5-0 down at half-time with Joel Piroe netting four. It was a day to forget for Mark Robins’ side and results elsewhere have seen them dragged back into the relegation picture.
Four points lay between Stoke and the relegation zone after four of the bottom five won on Monday. They were without a defeat in five before the Elland Road humbling.
Here, a handful of our writers make their predictions for the game.
James Ray
“I’ve got a feeling Stoke City get a big result here.
“Both the Potters and Sheffield United come into this one licking their wounds. The former will be determined to bounce back from the Leeds United thumping while SUFC need to show they’re ready to go for the play-offs after seeing their top hopes dashed.
“I think Stoke’s improved home form and the Blades’ poor away record could come into play here. Chris Wilder’s side have lost three straight on the road and with the Potters fighting to confirm safety, I think they’ll be more up for it while Sheffield United could take the chance to rest some players before the play-offs.
“With that said, I’ll say this ends in a 2-1 home win.”
Prediction: Stoke City 2-1 Sheffield United
Harry Mail
“Stoke City will want to bounce back from their heavy loss at Leeds United. SCFC aren’t safe yet and could do with getting the job done here.
“The Potters have been a lot stronger at home under Mark Robins. They should fancy their chances of getting something on Friday.
“Sheffield United will be disappointed to have missed out on the top two. SUFC need to pick themselves up now.
“The Blades will want to head into the play-offs in good form and need momentum behind them. I think if they show up and play to their best, they could win this one.”
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