Sheffield United have benefitted from playing lower league opposition in the FA Cup. They defeated Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup third round before seeing of Plymouth Argyle in the fourth round.Now, Chris Wilder aims to take down another lower league team to reach the quarterfinals.
Championship club Bristol City are next up for Sheffield United. The Robins go into the midweek fixture in terrible form. They have lost three straight games in the Championship and have fallen off the pace for a playoff place.
Bristol City knocked out Portsmouth and Millwall to reach the last 16. This will be their first time to play a Premier League team in the competition this season. Sheffield United may be in the top flight, but are starring relegation in the face.
The Blades have been poor this season but in recent weeks, have improved. Wilder will hope that a win against Bristol City will continue their renaissance in the league. Sheffield United recently went to Old Trafford and claimed a 2-1 shock win versus Manchester United.
Wilder has five players on the injury list at Bramall Lane. Sander Berge is ruled out with a muscle injury that will keep him out until March. Jack Robinson and Jack O’Connell are both ruled out as well with their respective injuries.
Defender Ethan Ampadu will return to the squad after sitting out the team’s loss to Chelsea. He was barred from playing against his parent club. George Baldock is a doubt to play while Enda Stevens is likely to come back into the team.
Bristol City manager Dean Holden could have Callum O’Dowda back from a hamstring injury in time for the game. He is due back this month. Jay Dasilva could also return to the team after suffering a shin injury. Andreas Weimann is ruled out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury.
Between 2017 and 2019, Sheffield United and Bristol City met four times in the Championship. Bristol City won three of those four fixtures. Sheffield United picked up just one win during that time.
The Blades should end Bristol City’s good form against them with a victory at home. Their uptick in form should lead them to a win and the FA Cup quarterfinals. Bristol City’s losing streak should continue in midweek as Sheffield United edge them at Bramall Lane.
It should be a low-scoring match with under 2.5 goals scored. Bristol City have failed to score in two of their last three games. That trend should continue.