Sheffield United v Millwall preview
Friday 13 April 2018 13:08, UK
Sheffield United defender Richard Stearman could return to contention for the home game against Millwall.
Stearman has missed the last two games due to a hamstring injury, but was scheduled to return to training on Thursday and could be included in the squad. Goalkeeper Jamal Blackman is also available again after serving his three-match ban and boss Chris Wilder must decide whether to recall him or stick with Simon Moore.
Wilder has no new injury concerns, while Mark Duffy, fit again after a recent groin injury, is pushing for a place in the starting line-up.
Millwall boss Neil Harris has no new injury or suspension worries and is expected to choose from an unchanged squad. The Lions extended their unbeaten league run to 12 matches with victory at Bolton in midweek and any changes are likely to be minimal.
Defender Byron Webster, still working his way back from knee surgery, remains Harris's only absentee. Striker Steve Morison and midfielder Tim Cahill are among those pushing for recalls as the Lions bid to maintain their play-off challenge.
Opta stats
These sides last met at Bramall Lane in League One last season, a 2-0 victory for Sheffield United.
However, that defeat is Millwall's only defeat in their last five league meetings with the Blades, winning the other four.
Since the start of the 2015-16 season, Chris Wilder has won 78 matches in the Football League, five more than any other manager.
Millwall are starting a matchday in the top six of the Championship for the first time since September 2014, when they were fifth before losing 2-0 to Ipswich.
Lee Evans scored twice for Sheffield United in the first half of their last match against Middlesbrough - he had scored just one goal in his previous 47 Championship matches.
Only Fulham (45) have won more Championship points in 2018 than the Lions (38), who are unbeaten in 16 league matches.
Prutton's prediction
This time last year, when these two sides were battling to win promotion from Sky Bet League One, I can't imagine there would have been too many who would have realistically imagined that they'd be in play-off contention in the Championship at this stage!
But this is where we find ourselves. Millwall are the form team and start the weekend in the top six, which is remarkable. The Blades will be going all out for three points, and this game should have goals. Score draw for me.
David Prutton predicts: 2-2 (14/1 with Sky Bet)
