The Blades played at the run-down Ninnian Park for the last time on 22 March 2009 (Easter Sunday) where the Blades helped themselves to a 3-0 win; however they were fortuitous that City would lose two key players early on.
City defender Gabor Gyepes was handed his marching orders after hacking down Darius Henderson in the box; David Cotterill (25 minutes) stepped up to fire the ball home from the spot - Ross McCormack was then shown a red card by referee Mr. Taylor after allegedly elbowing Kyle Naughton.
After the break United doubled their lead when Jamie Ward (46) headed home following a Cotterill corner and the rout was completed when Stephen Quinn (87) finished off at a tight angle.
However the Bluebirds sort revenge on their opponents in the Championship fixture played earlier this season after City won a seven goal thriller and could complete the double over a Blades side who haven't won away from home since the beginning of December!
The Blades went into the break at 2-2 with two quick-fire goals from Darius Henderson (43 and 45+2 minutes) cancelled out Jay Botheroyd's (41) opener; but a hat-trick from Bluebirds midfielder Peter Whittingham (45+1 (pen), 60 & 85) stormed City into a 4-2 lead before James Harper (90) scored a scant consolation in a gripping match.
United claimed a point at the Keepmoat Stadium last Saturday in the South Yorkshire Derby - it was their first point away from Bramall Lane since that elusive win in Devon, eight Championship fixtures ago. A solid second half performance from United produced a goal with the game virtually won; James Harper's (88) firing home from close range to cancel out James Hayter's (4) early opener.
Blades boss Kevin Blackwell will be without Derek Geary (ankle), Jamie Ward (hamstring), Ched Evans (broken collarbone), and Mark Yeates (back), Henri Camara (groin), Ryan France (leg) and Gary Naysmith (hamstring) through injury. Meanwhile Darius Henderson (foot), Henri Camara (groin) and Mark Yeates (back) remain doubtful for the trip to South Wales.
Though the Cutlers welcome back skipper Chris Morgan from a two match suspension; the former Barnsley defender missed the fixtures with Blackpool (3-0) and Doncaster Rovers (1-1) having picked up ten booking of the season.
Blades Last Line-Up (20/03/2010 at Doncaster Rovers):
Steve Simonsen, Paul Connolly, Nyron Nosworthy, Marcel Seip, Jordan Stewart, Mark Yeates, Nick Montgomery, James Harper, Stephen Quinn, Richard Cresswell, Henri Camara. Substitutes: Ian Bennett, Glen Little, Kyle Bartley, Matthew Lowton, Andy Taylor, Jonathan Fortune.
Cardiff City were in action on Sunday as they entertained Watford at the new Cardiff City Stadium which hosted Championship football for the first time this season; they overcame the Hornets in a 3-1 victory in Wales with Ross McCormack (7), Peter Whittingham (63) and Chris Burke (78) finding the net for City whilst Heidar Helguson (90) scored for the visitors.
Bluebirds boss Dave Jones is likely to be without trio Joe Ledley (hip), Kevin McNaughton (thigh) and Mark Kennedy (rib) whom are all injured, though he was boosted by the return of Stephen McPhail (rib) and Peter Whittingham (groin) who returned to action in the victory over Watford.
Bluebirds Last Line-Up (21/03/2010 vs. Watford): David
Marshall, Gabor Gyepes, Paul Quinn, Mark Kennedy, Gavin Rae, Peter Whittingham, Stephen McPhail, Paul Burke, Darcy Blake, Jay Bothroyd, Ross McCormack. Substitutes: Michael Chopra, Tony Capaldi, Soloman Taiwo, Peter Enckleman, Warren Feeney, Adam Matthews, Aaron Wildig.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Cardiff City 0-1 Sheffield United
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