Promotion-chasing Sheffield United host a struggling Reading side tomorrow afternoon at Bramall Lane, in a clash of two teams battling it out at opposite ends of the table.
The Blades avenged their three-goal collapse against Aston Villa with a narrow, gritty win over promotion rivals Middlesbrough.
Phil Parkinson’s side overcame a late equaliser to secure three vital points that saw them move out of the Championship drop zone ahead of this weekend’s games.
Chris Wilder’s side are two points off the top two after their win coincided with a Norwich defeat.
United have one defeat in their last ten games, winning six of them.
The Royals, meanwhile, picked up their first win in five games and recorded just their second in ten matches to give them the huge morale boost of moving above the dotted line.
Ahead of the match, Sky Sports enlisted the guesswork of David Prutton as he offered his thoughts on the outcome of this particular fixture.
“Sheffield United responded brilliantly to their setback at Aston Villa by battling past Middlesbrough in midweek, and even got a goal from an unlikely source in Richard Stearman!
“Reading got a big win as they saw off Blackburn to haul themselves out of the relegation zone.
“They are unbeaten in four, but that run will likely end at Bramall Lane, 2-0.”
The verdict
Sheffield United responded after a three-goal collapse last weekend to win against play-off chasing Middlesbrough.
It was a much-needed win to keep in touch with the top two.
Equally, for Reading, their win over Blackburn was vital and lifted them out of the relegation zone.
They will be buoyed by that result, but the joy will be short lived.
I am going for a Blades win, but not without a Royal fight, 3-1.