Sheffield United are currently lying in 16th place with 38 points, a win or a draw against Wigan Athletic could be enough to ensure top flight football next season. However a defeat for the Latics will send them back to the Championship.
The Blades went to Aston Villa last Saturday and in front of live television saw a crushing 3-0 defeat at Villa Park. Gabriel Agbonlahor (25), Ashley Young (42) and Partik Berger (60) netted the goals in the Villans last home fixture of the season.
During that crushing defeat in Birmingham the Blades lost Midfielder Nick Montgomery to a shoulder and leg injury, if he isn't able to continue against the Latics then Mikele Leigertwood is likely to take his place.
Main striker Rob Hulse is out injured with a broken leg which he sustained during the 3-0 defeat at Chelsea on 17 March after colliding with keeper Petr Cech.
On the Blades side against Wigan will be former Latic Keith Gillespie. Whilst at Manchester United the Northern Ireland international joined Athletic on loan, playing ten games and scoring four goals in September 1993.
Robert Kozluk also joined Wigan in September 2001 on loan from the Blades but failed to make and appearance.
Possible Blades Line-Up: Paddy kenny, Phil Jagielka, Matthew Kilgallon, Chris Armstrong, Keith Gillespie, Michael Tonge, Ahmed Fathi, Stephen Quinn, Jonathan Stead, Luton Shelton.
Wigan Athletic were sent deep into the mire last Weekend, they lost 1-0 at home to Middlesbrough due to a Mark Viduka (29) bizarre goal.
And, with West Ham United winning 3-1 at home to Bolton Wanderers it now means that the Latics must win at Bramall Lane and pray that the Hammers don't claim a point at Old Trafford against Manchester United.
Paul Jewell comes to Bramall Lane with three injuries preventing him picking a full strengthened eleven; Former Barnsley defender Arjan de Zeeuw (ankle), Chris Kirkland (finger) and Fitz Hall (knee) are all missing for the Latics.
The Former Bradford City and Sheffield Wednesday manager will also be without striker Henri Camara who has been dropped from the squad after it appears he has gone AWOL.
Former Blades left full-back David Unsworth will make his return since leaving United last January. He was signed by Neil Warnock in August 2006 and netted on his debut, a last minute winning penalty against Coventry City. Unsworth played in 39 (+ 1 as a sub) games and scored 4 goals before leaving for the JJB Stadium.
Forgotten man at Bramall Lane; Geoff Horsfield has also represented both Blades and Latics. The Barnsley born striker was at the JJB between September 2003 and December 2003, he played just 17 games and scored 7 goals. He is currently on loan to Leicester City from Sheffield United.
Possible Latics Line-Up: Mike Pollit, Leighton Baines, Paul Scharner, Ryan Taylor, Emerson Boyce, Denny Landzaat, Luis Antonio Valencia, Josip Skoko, Emile Heskey, Julius Aghahowa, Lee McCullock.
The Last Time
Sheffield United 0-2 Wigan Athletic
01 January 2005 - Championship
Attendance: 21,869
Sheffield United: Bennett, Bromby, Cullip, Morgan, Jagielka, Liddell, Quinn (Forte 74), Tonge, Harley, Gray, Cadamarteri (Shaw 69). Unused: Wright, Thirlwell, Geary.
Wigan Athletic: Filan, Eaden, Breckin, Thome, Baines, McCulloch (1), Bullard (Flynn 40), Whalley, Graham, Ellington (1), Roberts. Unused: Walsh, Teale, Jackson, Wright.
Man in the Middle: Mike L. Dean (Wirral) - Match official for the game at Wigan Athletic match will be Mike Dean who officiated the 0-0 draws with Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City - here's hoping for the same result, a draw will keep the Blades up.
- 09.10.1999 - Crewe Alexandra 1-0 Blades
- 08.01.2003 - Blades 2-1 Liverpool (LC SF 1/2)
- 28.09.2004 - Blades 1-0 Sunderland
- 26.12.2004 - Coventry City 1-2 Blades
- 01.11.2005 - Blades 4-0 Luton Town
- 09.09.2006 - Blades 0-0 Blackburn Rovers
- 10.10.2006 - Manchester City 0-0 Blades