The Blades league form has seen them lose just one in the last five matches, whilst they have won and drawn two each. They celebrated a 5-1 win over Nott's County in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy with a 3-2 victory at home to Rochdale last weekend, this victory pushed the Blades back into a top six spot.
Inconsistent Sheffield United returned to winning ways with a 3-2 home victory over Rochdale. A first-half double from Che Adams and a second-half header from Neill Collins were enough to seal the win for the Blades, despite goals from Peter Vincenti and Lewis Alessandra for the visitors.
United took the lead in the 29th minute, with an unmarked Adams picking the ball up on the edge of the box before tucking it neatly into the bottom right of the goal. Rochdale soon struck back thanks to a Peter Vincenti penalty in the 37th minute after Matt Done committed a foul.
United regained the lead moments later with a well-taken effort from Adams inside the box following good work from Billy Sharp. Rochdale equalised after the break through Alessandra, whose left-footed effort from the edge of the six-yard box trickled into the net on 72 minutes. United struck back almost immediately, however, with Collins heading home from Jose Baxter's corner to seal all three points for the home side.
Blades boss Nigel Adkins has the unfortunate headache of a long list of injuries. He is expected to name a side without eight first team players who are currently side-lined through injury. The former Southampton boss will be without defenders; John Brayford (knee), Captain Jay McEverley (broken toe) Bob Harris (pelvis), Craig Alcock (hip and ribs), David Edgar (hamstring) and Terry Kennedy (knee) and midfielders; Ryan Flynn (groin) and fellow midfielder James Wallace (thigh).
However, the Blades are boosted by the return of Stefan Scougall who could start at Oldham today.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Oldham Athletic 1 Sheffield United 2
