Looking to move a step closer to the Premier League, Bristol City and Sheffield United meet for the first leg of their Championship playoff semi-final at Ashton Gate on Thursday night.
The Robins are into this phase of the campaign for the first time in 17 years, whilst the Blades are aiming to make it two promotions in just three seasons.
Match preview
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After nearly a decade of milling about in the midtable region of the Championship, Bristol City have secured a highly-coveted spot in the playoffs, meaning that the West Country club are now just three matches away from reaching the glamour and riches of the Premier League.
The Robins come into the first leg in less-than-ideal form – enduring a three-game winless run to conclude the regular second-tier season – with the latest match arriving last Saturday, when they were forced to share of the spoils with relegation-threatened Preston North End.
Goals either side of the half-time whistle from Emil Riis Jakobsen and Milutin Osmajic fired the visiting Lilywhites into a two-strike lead at Ashton Gate, before a brilliant brace from Scottish wing-back Ross McCrorie spilt the points, leading to a playoff finish for the hosts.
Despite collecting just the single point from their last three matches, Liam Manning‘s men remained in sixth place in the Championship standings to seal a position in the post-season picture, two points ahead of Blackburn Rovers and Millwall in seventh and eighth respectively.
Back at their West Country base less than a week following that stalemate with Preston, Bristol City will be desperate to extend their unbeaten record at the venue to nine matches on Thursday night, with the Robins last tasting defeat at Ashton Gate on February 9 versus Swansea City.
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Despite finishing a mammoth 22 points clear of Thursday’s hosts, Sheffield United are on an even footing with Bristol City heading into the first leg of the semi-final, with head coach Chris Wilder exclaiming that his side must prove they are the best of the four playoff teams all over again in order to reach the Premier League.
A run of two wins across the last seven matches of their regular campaign derailed any hopes of competing with Leeds United and Burnley for a top-two spot, with the most recent of the Blades’ slip-ups coming on Saturday afternoon, when Blackburn snatched a point at Bramall Lane.
After inconsistency blighted their automatic-promotion push, Sheffield United ended the season as a clear third in the Championship rankings, 10 points behind Leeds and Burnley, whilst boasting a 14-point buffer over fourth-placed Sunderland, who face Coventry City in the other semi-final.
If the division was decided purely on away form, the Blades would already be on holiday and preparing for life amongst England’s footballing elite, with the Yorkshire outfit collecting 43 points on the road this season, a record only Scott Parker‘s Burnley (49) can better.
Whilst exciting January additions such as Ben Brereton Diaz and Tom Cannon have failed to set the world alight fully, Sheffield United remain a dangerous force at the top end of the pitch, with Tyrese Campbell and Gustavo Hamer strengthening their statuses as Championship experts.
Team News
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Bristol City remain without the services of defender Luke McNally, who is sidelined until the end of October due to a serious knee injury.
The Robins’ options at the back are further reduced by the absence of Cameron Pring, with the 27-year-old picking up a hamstring problem in March.
Ayman Benarous (knee) remains as long-term absentee for the hosts, whilst Mark Sykes (hip) is targeting a return to first-team action this month.
Suffering a devastating knee injury in November, youngster Ollie Arblaster will play no part in the playoffs for Premier League-chasing Sheffield United.
The Blades are also limited in the centre-back department, with Welshman Rhys Norrington-Davies sustaining a groin problem near the start of the calendar year.
Bristol City possible starting lineup:
O’Leary; Tanner, Dickie, Vyner; Hirakawa, Williams, Knight, McCrorie; Mehmeti, Twine, Wells
Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Davies; Gilchrist, Ahmedhodzic, Holding, McCallum; De Souza Costa, Peck, Brooks, O’Hare, Hamer; Cannon
We say: Bristol City 2-1 Sheffield United
Unbeaten since early February at Ashton Gate, Bristol City must make home-field advantage count if they wish to reach the Wembley final later this month.
Sheffield United have stuttered into the playoffs and could stumble in the West Country, although we feel that the Blades will remain firmly in the affair ahead of Monday’s second leg at Bramall Lane.
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