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In the earlier fixture at Bramall Lane on 2 November 2009 a single deflected goal by Kevin Nolan (54 minutes) was the difference between the two sides, from then the Blades remained unbeaten at the Lane until last Sunday when Scunthorpe United claimed a 1-0 victory in their battle against relegation.
They come into this fixture after a goal less draw with Barnsley in the South Yorkshire Derby at Bramall Lane; the visitors left S2 without testing keeper Steve Simonsen whom kept his first clean sheet out of four games he has played whilst on loan from Stoke City.
At the other end Luke Steele was made to earn his crust as he kept out two goal bound headers from Darius Henderson whilst also denying Stephen ders Quinn and Nick Montgomery with their efforts. The Blades also saw right full-back Paul Connolly receive his marching orders near on the 90 minute mark; however we believe that he will be available for the fixture at St James Park and will serve his suspension in next Saturday's home tie with Coventry City.
The Blades will be without Henri Camara (groin), Ched Evans (broken collarbone), Derek Geary (ankle), Tony Kallio (hamstring), Gary Naysmith (hamstring) and Ryan France (leg) are all sidelined through injury.
Blades Last Line-Up (03/04/2010 vs. Barnsley): Steve Simonsen, Paul Connolly, Chris Morgan, Nyron Nosworthy, Jordan Stewart, Jamie Ward, Nick Montgomery, Stephen Quinn, Glen Little, Richard Cresswell, Darius Henderson. Substitutes: Ian Bennett, Lee Williamson, Andy Taylor, Mark Yeates, Marcel Seip, James Harper, Kyle Bartley.
The Magpies could require just one more point to mathematically secure promotion to the Premier League at the first time of asking if Nottingham Forest fail to win at home to Cardiff City in their 3pm
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kick -off match at the City Ground on Easter Monday; the Blades commence at 7:45pm.
Newcastle United have had an established record in the Coca-Cola Championship this season and you need to go back to 16 May 2009 to witness the Magpies last home defeat - Diomansy Kamara was the hero as Fulham recorded a 1-0 win which played a part in their demise and relegation from the FA Premier League.
This season they have recorded high scoring victories against Cardiff City (5-1), Coventry City (4-1) and Barnsley (6-1) - all during 2010. Meanwhile away from home there only comfortable victory came at Portman Road when they beat Ipswich Town 4-0.
Magpies boss Chris Hughton will be without trio; Steven Taylor (knee), Fitz Hall (hamstring) and Andy Carroll (ankle) through injury. Striker Carroll is the clubs leading scorer with fourteen goals; meanwhile former Leeds and Manchester United striker Alan Smith returned from injured and featured in their 3-2 win over Peterborough United yesterday.
Magpies Last Line-Up (03/04/2010 at Peterborough United): Steve Harper, Fabrico Coloccini, Jose Sanchez Enrique, Mike Williamson, Danny Simpson, Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton, Fabrice Pancrate, Alan Smith, Leon Best, Shola Ameobi. Substitutes: Wayne Routledge, Peter Lovenkrands, Ryan Taylor, Jonas Gutierrez, Nicky Butt, Tim Krul, Tamas Kadar.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Newcastle United 0-0 Sheffield United
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