Thirteen matches remain in the Championship season and the fight for both promotion and relegation are going down to the wire. Friday night's marquee match features two sides at opposite ends of the table.
Sheffield United enter the weekend still fighting for a promotion playoff place. The Blades are two points behind struggling Bristol City, and could usurp their promotion rivals with a win on Friday. Hull, on the other hand, are struggling for survival. Currently, outside the relegation zone thanks to goal difference, Hull are on the verge of a second straight relegation.
Hull have secured just five points from their last 18 possible. The Tigers have won just once in their last six matches. The team has scored just four goals and possess a –2 goal differential. Hull have drawn their last four home matches and it is the team's home form that is keeping them just above the relegation zone. Hull have won just twice since October 21st.
Despite Hull's poor table position, the Tigers have scored plenty of goals this term. The Tigers have scored the 11th most goals (43). Typically, such a high goal return would mean the team should be fighting for a playoff place. However, Hull's defence has been abysmal. The Tigers defence has allowed 50 goals.
Leading goal scorer Jarrod Bowen is tied for fifth in goals in the Championship. His 12 strikes have accounted for more than a quarter of Hull's goals. Hull average 1.3 goals per game from 12.2 shots. Scoring isn't really the problem for Hull, however. Manager Nigel Adkins needs the team's defence to step up with 13 matches to go.
Sheffield United are seventh in scoring in the Championship. The team's attack should be able to get through Hull's porous backline. The Blades have 46 goals scored and are +8 in goal difference. Forward Leon Clarke is second in scoring in the league (15 goals). Clarke has scored one-third of the team's goals this term. The team averages just 1.4 goals per game.
The Blades biggest problem over the last two months has been their away form. The team has won just once in their last six away matches. The team is –3 in goal scoring away from Brammall Lane. The team's away play has them 19th in the current form table. If Sheffield United want to earn promotion, the Blades must improve their road performances.
Despite Sheffield United's poor away form, the team should be good enough defeat Hull at the KCOM. The win will give the Blades a shot a the promotion playoffs with a dozen games to go.