Hull v Sheffield United preview: Championship clash live on Sky Sports Football
Friday 23 February 2018 18:34, UK
Striker Abel Hernandez could return to Hull's squad for the home game against Sheffield United after a six-month injury lay-off.
Hernandez, who ruptured an Achilles tendon at the end of August, started in an Under-23s game this week and has not been ruled out of being included. Forward Jarrod Bowen is also expected to return to contention after missing the last two games due to a hamstring injury.
Midfielder Seb Larsson is hoping to be included in boss Nigel Adkins' plans after a two-game ban, but Harry Wilson (shoulder), Markus Henriksen (ankle), Ondrej Mazuch (hamstring), Stephen Kingsley (groin), Moses Odubajo and James Weir (both knee) are all unavailable.
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder will make late decisions on striker James Wilson, plus midfielders Ricky Holmes and David Brooks.Wilson missed the midweek win against QPR due to an ankle injury sustained in last week's FA Cup defeat at Leicester, while Holmes and Brooks will both have back problems assessed.
Midfielder John Fleck and goalkeeper Simon Moore will return to contention after completing two and three-match bans respectively. Defender Richard Stearman and striker Leon Clarke both played the full 90 minutes on Tuesday night after illness, while Ched Evans is pushing for his first start since recovering from an ankle injury.
Opta stats
The last three matches between these sides in all competitions have produced 18 goals (nine goals each).
Sheffield United haven't visited the KCOM Stadium in league competition since winning 1-0 in a Championship match in October 2010.
Hull have won just one of their last 11 Championship games, drawing four and losing six.
Live EFL
Meanwhile, the Blades are looking to secure three consecutive Championship wins for the first time since October.
Nigel Adkins is set to face former club Sheffield United for the first time since leaving them at the end of the 2015/16 season - he has never lost against them in the Football League (P4 W3 D1 L0).
Sheffield United have only lost one of their last 14 away league matches played on a Friday (W9 D4), winning both such Championship fixtures this season (2-1 at Leeds and 3-1 at Burton).
Prutton's prediction
This game is interestingly poised as both sides are desperate to win, but for very different reasons. Sheffield United are just one place off the play-offs, while Hull are just one above the relegation zone.
The Blades look to be over their dip now, having won back-to-back games for the first time since November and will be very confident ahead of their trip to the KCOM. Away win.
David Prutton predicts: 1-2 with Billy Sharp to score first (30/1 with Sky Bet)
