Blades boss Danny Wilson was in charge for his 75th professional match in charge of United in a 1-0 victory at home to Portsmouth (live on sky) last Monday night; Nick Blackman (66 minutes) netted his third penalty in five matches after fellow striker Chris Porter had been dragged down in the box - it was the clubs fourth straight victory in all competitions.
Last season the Blades reached the Fourth round of the FA Cup after disposing of Oxford United (3-0) with two goals from Ched Evans (9 & 19 minutes) and one from Ryan Flynn before Torquay United gave United a scare but still scrapped through 3-2. The League Two side took the lead early doors through Rene Howe (3) and held there lead until after the break when a own goal (68) brought the Blades level.
A Ched Evans (69 & 78) double blasted the hosts into a two goal lead and Danny Stevens (90) netted late on to set up a tense finish. In Round Three United were paired against non-leaguers Sailsbury City and whilst the Southern club demonstrated a plausible performance they were unable to prevent United sailing into a three goal lead; Chris Porter (18), Ched Evans (60) and a Daniel Webb (72) own goal proved the difference of power in quality, they did however pull one back through substitute Lloyd Macklin (86) which was richly deserved.
A difference in quality was shown again in Round Four when Chris Houghton brought his Birmingham City side to Bramall Lane and over powered the Blades to a 4-0 defeat; Nathan Redmond (18) and a Adam Rooney double (38 & 78) and a Wade Elliott strike (58) secured a safe passage into the next round.
Blades boss Danny Wilson faces no new injury concerns ahead of tomorrows match but will still be without keeper Mark Howard (thigh) whilst striker Dave Kiston (hamstring) has been ruled out through injury for up to three weeks. He may also introduce some changes this weekend and allow; Darryl Westlake, John Cofie, Erik Tonne and Shaun Miller to obtain some much needed first team opportunities.
Bristol Rovers lost there League Two match last Saturday in a 1-0 defeat at Accrington Stanley - it was the Gas Men's second defeat in a row and left them 20th in the table and loo0king over there shoulders at that dreaded bottom two drop (two points safe) into non-league. However they haven't lost a home fixture since 1 September - five games ago!
In last seasons FA Cup campaign the Rovers reached the third round of the competition, only to be knocked out by Premiership opposition Aston Villa at the Memorial Ground. They had overcome non-league opponents in rounds one and two; firstly disposing of Corby Town (3-1) before AFC Totton were at the wrong end of a 6-1 drumming despite being hosts.
Against Villa, a bumper 10,800 crowd saw the Birmingham side storm into a three goal lead through Marc Albrighton, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ciaran Clark before Scott McGleish netted a stank consolation in the final minute.
Rovers boss Mark McGee (formerly with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Millwall) is set to still be without defender Tom Parkes who despite being handed a one match suspension following his sending off in a 3-1 defeat at AFC Wimbledon over a week ago has been handed an extra match ban following an FA hearing. Meanwhile Garry Kenneth (knee) returned from injury against Stanley - but Adam Virgo (also knee) is sidelined through injury.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Bristol Rovers 1-3 Sheffield United