Sheffield United threw away a three-goal lead away at Aston Villa on Friday night and they could well be still kicking themselves as they missed out on the opportunity to go top of the Championship, instead of having to settle for a single point.
The hosts are therefore likely to be fired up for this Wednesday night clash against fellow play-off hopefuls, Middlesbrough at Bramall Lane with Sheffield United manager, Chris Wilder, probably not needing to motivate his players too much as they’ll no doubt be keen atone for their Friday night disappointment.
Nevertheless, Sheffield United have lost just once in their last nine matches overall in the Championship which was a 1-0 defeat away at Swansea City, but recent wins against QPR and Bolton Wanderers as well as a useful point picked up in a 2-2 draw away at the league leaders, Norwich City, have kept The Blades in the hunt for possible automatic promotion.
With a superior goal difference of +3, United again have the opportunity to replace Yorkshire rivals, Leeds United into second spot behind Norwich if they take all three points here, but it won’t be an easy task as Middlesbrough have been in solid form recently under manager Tony Pulis.
Forwards Sharp (22 goals) and McGoldrick (11 goals) are the host’s main goal threats.
Middlesbrough have had a tough set of fixtures recently as they’ve faced Derby County, Birmingham City, West Brom and Leeds United over the course of their last five matches and another tough match beckons in Yorkshire when they take on Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Wednesday night.
Boro have remained unbeaten throughout though as they’ve picked up wins in the west midlands with victories at Birmingham and West Brom as part of a useful six-match unbeaten run.
The visitors have actually picked up more points on their travels than at the Riverside Stadium so far this season, so a trip to Sheffield United probably won’t faze them especially having beaten West Brom at The Hawthorns recently.
Middlesbrough have lost just twice away from home all season and they’re also unbeaten in their last four on the road with wins at Reading as well as the two aforementioned west midlands clubs, while also picking up a point at Derby County.
Only Norwich City (7) have drawn more away matches in the top six than Middlesbrough (6), and with this being a top six clash, the prospect of another draw looks fairly reasonable.