Preview: Sheffield United vs. Portsmouth

Sheffield United will be looking to move into the automatic promotion spots when they welcome Portsmouth to Bramall Lane for Saturday’s Championship encounter.

The Blades are currently sitting outside the top two on goal difference, while relegation-threatened Pompey are languishing in 20th position.

Match preview

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Sheffield United will head into the weekend off the back of a fine run of form after winning four of their last five Championship matches.

The Blades recorded three consecutive league wins over Watford, Norwich City and Swansea City, before they were stopped in their tracks by a heavy 3-0 defeat in their most recent home outing against Hull City.

However, Chris Wilder‘s side quickly bounced back to claim a narrow 1-0 victory in last Saturday’s away clash against Derby County, courtesy of Ben Brereton Diaz‘s 49th-minute effort.

As a result of that win, the Blades finished the weekend in the top two, only to be knocked down to third position following Burnley’s midweek win over Oxford United.

With the Clarets in FA Cup action on Saturday, Sheffield United know that they can move back into second place with a point from Saturday’s home fixture, although they will be targeting all three despite winning just one of their last four league matches at Bramall Lane.

The Blades have not faced Portsmouth in a home game since recording a 1-0 victory in October 2012, but they will still take confidence from the fact that they have avoided defeat in each of their previous 25 competitive head-to-head home meetings.

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Pompey are currently sitting three points clear of the bottom three after winning seven, drawing nine and losing 14 of their 30 league games this season.

Portsmouth have failed to win any of their previous three matches, losing 5-1 away to West Bromwich Albion and 1-0 at home to Millwall, before they took a point off Sheffield United’s promotion rivals Burnley.

John Mousinho‘s side would have been content to hold the Clarets to a goalless draw, especially as it ended their seven-game wait for a clean sheet.

However, recording another shutout on Saturday will be an almighty challenge, given the fact that Portsmouth have lost each of their last seven competitive away matches, with those defeats contributing to an 11-game winless run on the road.

Their hopes of claiming their first away win since October will be tempered by the fact that they have not beaten Sheffield United in an away match since they recorded a 3-1 victory nearly 70 years ago in November 1955.

If they are to claim all three points, Pompey will have to produce an improved defensive display on their travels, having conceded 52 goals across their 30 matches – only Plymouth Argyle have shipped more on the road.

Sheffield United Championship form:

Sheffield United form (all competitions):

Portsmouth Championship form:

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Sheffield United forward Kieffer Moore is ruled out with a hernia issue, while midfielder Ollie Arblaster remains sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Tom Davies will hope to prove his fitness following a three-game injury absence, while Rob Holding, Christian Nwachukwu and Jefferson Caceres could feature in the matchday squad after arriving on deadline day.

Midfielder Gustavo Hamer is available for selection after serving a two-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards.

As for the visitors, Ibane Bowat, Jacob Farrell and Paddy Lane are expected to miss the rest of the season, while Kusini Yengi, Jordan Williams and Regan Poole are not expected to be ready for Saturday’s away trip.

Mousinho has revealed that a late decision will be made on Mark O’Mahony‘s availability, with the Brighton & Hove Albion loanee closing in on a return to action following a two-month spell on the sidelines.

Ben Killip, Adil Aouchiche and Kaide Gordon are all expected to feature in the matchday squad after joining the club before the transfer deadline.

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Cooper; Clarke, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, Burrows; Souza, Choudhury; Brewster, O’Hare, Brereton Diaz; Cannon

We say: Sheffield United 3-0 Portsmouth

Sheffield United may have won just one of their last four home league games, but we still believe that they will pick up a comfortable victory against a Portsmouth side that have lost each of their previous six league matches.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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