Rivals Sheffield United and Barnsley meet on the pitch at Bramall Lane this Saturday, with the two clubs chasing different goals in the Championship with kickoff at 3:30 pm.
Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom was born in Barnsley, made 53 appearances for the Tykes as a player and started his coaching career at the club – spending 20 months as the permanent boss and winning promotion from League One in 2016.
The Blades are unbeaten on home turf since the 44-year-old was appointed in November, taking 20 points from a possible 24 at Bramall Lane and keeping six clean sheets from those eight games.
Meanwhile, only West Bromwich Albion have conceded fewer goals at home in the Championship this season (12) than Sheffield United (13). Heckingbottom’s men have not won a game in their last five outings.
On Tuesday night, Barnsley started their battle for survival with a 2-0 win over Bristol City at Oakwell, with Carlton Morris and Michal Helik finding the net inside the opening 21 minutes to lift Poya Asbaghi’s side to within two points of 21st-placed Reading.
The result moved Barnsley, the Championship’s lowest scorers, to within two points of Reading, who they host immediately after the international break.
Barnsley have only beaten Sheffield United once in their last six meetings (Lys Mousset scored twice for the Blades in this season’s reverse fixture at Oakwell).
Sheffield United vs Barnsley Head to Head
Both sides have 14 games against each other, with hosts taking six wins while visitors with three wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Blackpool 0-0 Sheffield United
- Coventry City 4-1 Sheffield United
- Sheffield United 4-1 Middlesbrough
- Sheffield 1-1 Nottingham
- Millwall 0-1 Sheffield
Away
- Barnsley 2-0 Bristol City
- Barnsley 1-1 Fulham
- Stoke City 1-1 Barnsley
- Derby 2-0 Barnsley
- Barnsley 3-2 Middlesbrough
Sheffield United Team News
With only one outfield player on the bench at half-time against Blackpool in midweek, Paul Heckingbottom’s Sheffield United continue to battle a severe injury crisis. John Fleck and Oli McBurnie are the only members of the walking wounded who have a chance of returning for this weekend’s game.
Barnsley Team News
Tykes striker Carlton Morris will be available to face Bristol City on Friday after suffering an injury against Bristol City, Barnsley hope. If Morris is not fit, Poya Asbaghi’s options will be limited to Devante Cole or Aaron Leya Iseka.
Prediction and Odds
Given Barnsley’s current form and Sheffield United’s recent dip in results, this match is likely to be tighter than it might have been a few weeks ago.
- Sheffield United Win
- Both Teams to Score
- Goals Over 1.5
