Sheffield United will be facing Bristol City on Easter Monday holding a two-point advantage in the final Championship playoff position.
Despite 12 places separating the clubs in the standings, Bristol City find themselves on an equally inconsistent run of form, putting them in 18th place.
Nigel Pearson and his side are keen for the campaign to end as soon as possible after spenging much of it with little to play for in the bottom half of the table.
Despite 20 of their 42 Championship matches ending in defeat during 2021-22, Bristol City now and again produce a standout victory out of the blue, which was the case at Stoke City on Friday.
The Robins had been on their way to their first goalless draw in the second division since September 11 until Jay Dasilva scored the only goal of the game at the bet365 Stadium with six minutes remaining.
With eight points now coming from six fixtures, it places more of a positive roll on Bristol City’s form in the short term, but there is no avoiding the fact that they need to end on a high if Pearson is to be retained in the dugout.
Ahead of facing Reading on Friday, everything appeared set up for Sheffield United to strengthen their hold of a playoff spot against a team fourth from bottom.
However, the Championship’s unpredictability once again came to play, seeing Sheffield’s 12-game unbeaten streak at home coming to an end with a 2-1 defeat.
A lack of attacking options is hindering Paul Heckingbottom at this stage of the season, but that should not be used as an excuse for a run of just three wins from 10 matches.
Middlesbrough will leapfrog them should they prevail in their game in hand, highlighting the importance of gaining a result from their upcoming fixture.
Bristol City vs Sheffield United head to head
The two sides have previously met on 32 occasions across all competitions, where Sheffield have claimed 18 victories while Bristol have won 10, and they have drawn in four. Bristol have scored 39 goals and conceded 57. In their last five meetings, Bristol have won twice while Sheffield have won three.
Bristol City 2-3 Sheffield United 06/05/18
Bristol City 1-0 Sheffield United 15/09/18
Sheffield United 2-3 Bristol City 30/03/19
Sheffield United 1-0 Bristol City 10/02/21
Sheffield United 2-0 Bristol City 28/11/21
Bristol City latest home form
Bristol City have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, having won just one of their five most recent matches. In their last home game, they played out a 1-1 draw with Peterborough United. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded eight.
Bristol City 2-1 Middlesbrough 19/02/22
Bristol City 1-2 Coventry City 22/02/22
Bristol City 1-2 Birmingham City 05/03/22
Bristol City 2-2 West Bromwich Albion 19/03/22
Bristol City 1-1 Peterborough United 09/04/22
Bristol City latest away form
Bristol City have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having lost three of their five most recent matches. In their last away game, they defeated Stoke City 1-0 in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded seven.
Nottingham Forest 2-0 Bristol City 26/02/22
Blackburn Rovers 0-1 Bristol City 12/03/22
Barnsley 2-0 Bristol City 15/03/22
AFC Bournemouth 3-2 Bristol City 02/04/22
Stoke City 0-1 Bristol City 15/04/22
Sheffield United latest home form
Sheffield United lost their last home game 2-1 to Reading in the league. However, they have recently been on a good run of form at home, as they have been unbeaten in 12 games prior to that. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded three.
Sheffield United 4-1 Middlesbrough 08/03/22
Sheffield United 2-0 Barnsley 19/03/22
Sheffield United 1-0 Queens Park Rangers 05/04/22
Sheffield United 0-0 AFC Bournemouth 09/04/22
Sheffield United 1-2 Reading 15/04/22
Sheffield United latest away form
Sheffield United have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having been winless in their five most recent matches. In their last away game, they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Stoke City. In their last five matches, they have scored one goal and conceded six.
Huddersfield Town 0-0 Sheffield United 12/02/22
Millwall 1-0 Sheffield United 26/02/22
Coventry City 4-1 Sheffield United 12/03/22
Blackpool 0-0 Sheffield United 16/03/22
Stoke City 1-0 Sheffield United 02/04/22
Bristol City news
On the back of a good win over Stoke City, Pearson is unlikely to go out of his way to make changes to his Bristol City first XI.
However, Han-Noah Massengo may replace Joe Williams in midfield with Pearson having previously erred on the side of caution with Williams’ hamstring issues.
Sheffield United news
Iliman Ndiaye should replace Ben Osborn behind either McBurnie or Daniel Jebbison, while Chris Basham and Jack Robinson will hope to return in defence.
Billy Sharp will not come back into contention until April 23 at the earliest as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury, while Sander Berge could feature in midfield.
Prediction and Odds
Sheffield United have struggled for numbers in attack which has really hurt them and Bristol City will feel that they can capitalise at Ashton Gate.
However, the Blades have won each of their last two meetings which will give them confidence and we expect an away win or a draw.
Odds: 1 2.40 X 2.05 2 2.20
Probable outcomes
Bristol City 0-1 Sheffield United
Bristol City 0-2 Sheffield United
Bristol City 1-2 Sheffield United
Bristol City 0-0 Sheffield United
Bristol City 1-1 Sheffield United
