Reading FC is set for a trip to Bramall Lane for an EFL Championship tie with Sheffield United this Friday in game week 42 of the campaign. Kickoff schedules for 15th April 2022 at 17:00 EAT.
Sheffield United is placed sixth with 65 points in the table, and is in line to take part in the playoffs once the regular season comes to an end. However, they need to be worried about the threat posed by the teams just below them. Paul Heckingbottom’s men have endured an inconsistent run of form in recent weeks, winning, and drawing and losing three games each in their last nine, they are now two points clear of Blackburn Rovers in seventh and four points behind Huddersfield Town in third.
The Blades shared spoils 0-0 Championship draw with Bournemouth in their last encounter. In that match, Sheffield United had 50% possession and 10 shots with two of them on target. Bournemouth got six shots with two of them on target.
Reading is placed 21st with 37 points in a table of 24, and as is known, teams placed 22nd to 24th at the end of the season will be relegated. However, the squad is not that much worried, as they have a surplus of eight points over the cut-off. Paul Ince’s men will be confident of maintaining their Championship status as they currently sit eight points clear of the relegation zone with only five fixtures remaining, though Barnsley do have one game in hand.
Reading were unable to extend their unbeaten league run to six matches as they suffered a 2-1 Championship home defeat to Cardiff City last weekend. In that match, Reading managed 42% possession, 10 shots with two of them on target and a goal by Lucas João (7′). Cardiff City got seven shots with three of them on target and goals by Alfie Doughty (59′) and Will Vaulks (85′).
Sheffield United vs Reading head to head
Since 1994 these two sides have had 32 head to head meeting. Sheffield united claims 15 wins, Reading 12 wins and five matches ended in draws.
- Reading 0-1 Sheffield 23/11/21
- Reading 1-2 Sheffield 03/03/20
- Sheffield 4-0 Reading 16/02/19
- Reading 0-2 Sheffield 08/12/18
- Reading 1-3 Sheffield 27/02/18
Home
- Sheffield 0-0 Bournemouth
- Sheffield 1-0 QPR
- Stoke 1-0 Sheffield
- Sheffield 2-0 Barnsley
- Blackpool 0-0 Sheffield
Away
- Reading 1-2 Cardiff
- Reading 2-1 Stoke
- Barnsley 1-1 Reading
- Reading 1-0 Blackburn
- Bournemouth 1-1Reading
Sheffield United team news
Paul Heckingbottom will select quad limited of Billy Sharp, Jayden Bogle, Chris Basham, David McGoldrick, Rhian Brewster, Jack O’Connell and Charlie Goode who have ruled out through injuries.
Reading FC team news
As for Paul Ince, Alen Halilovic, Andy Rinomhota, Dejan Tetek, Felipe Araruna, Karl Hein and Yakou Meite are also not available for selection due to injuries.
Prediction and odds
The Blades are unbeaten in 15 of their past 18 overall fixtures, and since November, they have gone on two separate four-game winning streaks while Reading is winless in six of their past eight overall fixtures, and during the stretch, they have gone on a three-match losing streak.
- Sheffield United Win
- Goals under 2.5
- Both teams to score (No)
