Birmingham City vs Sheffield United. Sky Bet Championship.
St. Andrew's StadiumAttendance23,579.
Friday 20 April 2018 11:17, UK
Birmingham's attacking options are boosted by the return of Che Adams and Sam Gallagher ahead of the visit of Sheffield United.
Former Blade Adams returns to contention against his old club after serving a three-match suspension and Gallagher, on loan from Southampton, is fit again after missing six matches with a calf injury.
While Adams is back from a ban, Harlee Dean begins one following his red card in the defeat at Wolves. The centre-back will miss two matches so Marc Roberts is his likely replacement. Craig Gardner made his return from injury as a second-half substitute at Molineux and the midfielder should be involved once more.
Sheffield United midfielder Mark Duffy is pushing for a starting place against his former club. Duffy, fit again after a groin problem, replaced John Lundstram at half-time in the home draw with Millwall last weekend and Blades boss Chris Wilder could include the 32-year-old from the beginning at St Andrew's.
Wilder has no new injury problems. Richard Stearman came through the Millwall game unscathed on his return from a hamstring injury and the defender should retain his place in the team. Billy Sharp and Clayton Donaldson are options for Wilder should he wish to change things up front, with Donaldson another player hoping to feature against an old club.
This is the first meeting between these sides at St. Andrew's since the opening day of the 2008-09 season in the Championship - Birmingham won 1-0.
The Blades haven't scored in each of their last three league trips to St. Andrew's (L3) since a 2-0 victory in December 1999.
Garry Monk has won all four of his Championship matches against the two Sheffield clubs, including a 1-0 win over Sheffield United earlier this season as Middlesbrough boss.
The Blues are unbeaten in their last three home league games (W2 D1) - they last went four without defeat in November 2016 (7).
Birmingham have scored the fewest goals in the Championship this season (32) - only in 1988-89 (28 goals), have they netted fewer after 43 games of a campaign.
The Blades have won only one of their last seven away league games and are winless in the last four (D2 L2).
Two defeats on the spin have left Birmingham right in trouble again just above the relegation zone, and they'll be feeling the pressure in front of their own fans at St Andrew's on Saturday.
Sheffield United will be going all out for victory in hopes of sneaking their way into the play-offs because another draw won't be enough for them. For some reason I think the Blues will sneak this one.
David Prutton predicts: 1-0 (13/2 with Sky Bet)
