The Blades are winless in five matches but have secured two points - both of which came away from home at Crawley Town and last Saturday at Scunthorpe United with both games ending 1-1.
Sheffield United earned their first point in three games as they came from behind to draw 1-1 at Scunthorpe. It was the Blades who dominated the opening half an hour as Scunthorpe struggled to get going. Matty Done missed a golden chance to open the scoring when he popped up unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box but flashed a diving header wide of the far post. Midfield man Louis Reed also went close with a 25-yard effort before Scunthorpe snatched a 37th-minute lead.
It was against the run of play when Neal Bishop netted with a close-range header after a free-kick had been turned back across goal by Niall Canavan. But Sheffield were deservedly back on level terms on the stroke of half-time when full-back Kieron Freeman popped up in the box to force an angled shot into the far side of the net. In a feisty start to the second half Scunthorpe thought they were back in front when Blades goalkeeper Iain Turner fumbled an in swinging corner from Gary McSheffrey into his own net. However, their celebrations were cut short when referee Darren Handley blew for an infringement in a crowded box.
Both teams might have snatched all three points in the closing stages. Substitute Jason Holt twice went close for the visitors, while at the opposite end leading marksman Paddy Madden fluffed two good openings for Scunthorpe.
Blades boss Nigel Clough will once again be without the suspended Chris Basham but he will be available for the visit of Port Vale this weekend. The Blades will again also be without defenders Terry Kennedy (knee) and Jay McEveley (shoulder) and with a defensive shortage scuppering tactical plans the former Derby boss may have already recalled Harrison McGahey from his loan spell at Tranmere Rovers. United will also be without Stefan Scougall (knee), winger Ryan Flynn (hamstring), goalkeeper Mark Howard (back) and striker Michael Higdon (hamstring), through injury.
The Blades will be hoping that Walsall will have their eyes set on next Sunday's fixture when they face Bristol City in the showcase final at Wembley of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. They currently lay 16th in the table and probably don't look like relegation fodder but there form guide may suggest otherwise with just one victory (+ two draws) in eight matches. The Saddlers drew their last fixture on Saturday, a 1-1 home draw with Milton Keynes Dons when victory looked likely to be going their way.
Former Walsall striker Will Grigg denied his old club victory with a first-half equaliser in a 1-1- draw with MK Dons at the Banks's Stadium. Grigg scored from close range after a fine low cross from Dean Bowditch had created the chance in the 32nd minute Walsall made a lively start and were ahead after eight minutes, Jordy Hiwula combined with Andy Taylor who whipped over a fine cross from the left which Tom Bradshaw headed into the net with goalkeeper David Martin off his line. It was Bradshaw's 16th goal of the season.
But gradually the Dons midfield began to take over, and they were rewarded with Grigg's leveller. The Saddlers piled on the pressure after that but could not finish off some decent moves, and Romaine Sawyers missed a chance to restore their lead when he shot wide from a good position in the 42nd minute before. Both sides went looking for the winner in the second half and Walsall skipper Adam Chambers was unlucky to see a powerful header cleared off the line on the hour mark.
Saddler’s boss Dean Smith saw defender Adam Chambers (ankle) fit enough to start against the Dons last Saturday and assuming that he played the full 90 minutes unscathed will once again be recalled. Meanwhile Anthony Forde (groin) made the bench after recovering from injury but Rico Henry (dislocated shoulder) is out.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Walsall 0 Sheffield United 1
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