Promotion-chasing Sheffield United will be aiming to make it three straight wins in the Championship when they head to an in-form Bristol City outfit on Tuesday night.
The Blades are currently third in the Championship table, four points behind the leaders Sunderland, while Bristol City are eighth in the second tier, picking up 19 points from their opening 13 matches of the campaign.
Match preview
© Imago
Bristol City boast a record of four wins, seven draws and two defeats from their 13 Championship matches this season, with a total of 19 points leaving them in eighth spot in the table, two points behind sixth-placed West Bromwich Albion.
Liam Manning's side will bring an eight-game unbeaten run into this contest, winning three and drawing five of their fixtures in England's second tier since a 3-0 reverse at Blackburn Rovers in the middle of September.
The Robins have found the back of the net on 17 occasions in England's second tier this season, with only four teams - Sunderland, Norwich City, Leeds United and Watford - netting more goals, while they have conceded 17.
Bristol City have not overcome Sheffield United since March 2019, with the Blades unbeaten in their last five fixtures with Tuesday's opponents, including 1-0 wins in both Championship matches during the 2022-23 campaign.
© Imago
Sheffield United finished bottom of the 2023-24 Premier League to drop back down to the Championship, but they are expected to challenge for an immediate return to England's top tier.
The Blades have won eight, drawn three and lost two of their 13 league matches this season to collect 25 points, which has left them in third spot in the table, only four points behind the leaders Sunderland.
Chris Wilder's side have only actually scored 16 times in the Championship this season, but they have the second-best defensive record, conceding just six times, with Burnley (five) at the top of that particular list.
Sheffield United will enter this match off the back of successive 2-0 wins, having beaten Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers since a 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough on October 23.
The Blades have picked up 11 points from their seven away Championship matches this season, and they will be heading to a Bristol City outfit that are unbeaten in front of their own supporters during the 2024-25 campaign.
Team News
© Imago
Bristol City head coach Manning will have to make two changes to his side for Tuesday's affairs, as George Tanner was forced off in the first half of Saturday's 3-1 victory over Preston North End due to a knee injury.
Meanwhile, Joe Williams departed soon after due to an Achilles problem, and both players are set to be absent here.
Haydon Roberts is expected to be the player to benefit from Tanner's unavailability, while Williams could be replaced by Marcus McGuane for the home fixture against high-flying Sheffield United.
As for Sheffield United, head coach Wilder could make a change to his attack on Tuesday night, as Tyrese Campbell found the back of the net as a substitute against Blackburn on Saturday afternoon.
The Blades did not suffer any fresh injury problems against Blackburn, but Tom Davies and Sai Sachdev will again be unavailable for selection due to fitness issues.
Sheffield United will receive a boost in terms of a returning player on Tuesday, meanwhile, with Anel Ahmedhodzic available for selection after missing out at the weekend due to a suspension.
Bristol City possible starting lineup:
O'Leary; Vyner, Dickie, McNally; Roberts, McGuane, Knight, Sykes; Hirakwa, Wells, Bird
Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Cooper; Gilchrist, Souttar, Ahmedhodzic, Burrows; Rak-Sakyi, Vinicius, Arblaster, O'Hare; Campbell, Moore
We say: Bristol City 1-1 Sheffield United
Four of Bristol City's six home Championship matches this season have finished level, while Sheffield United have won just three of their seven league fixtures on their travels. It would not be a shock to see a home or indeed an away victory on Tuesday night, but we have a feeling that the points will be shared in a low-scoring draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
