In a game of too few chances, the Blades followed up their weekend victory over Doncaster Rovers with a 0-0 draw at Burton Albion, whom sit just a point pretty at the summit of the League One table.
Table-topping Burton's three-game winning streak came to an end courtesy of a goalless draw with Sheffield United at the Pirelli Stadium. The result left Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's side a point clear at the top of Sky Bet League One after second-placed Walsall beat Scunthorpe. Neither goal was seriously threatened in a stifling first half. United goalkeeper Mark Howard was tested only by Nasser El Khayati's 20-yard shot in the 26th minute, while Burton stopper Jon McLaughlin was happy to watch Chris Basham glance a header wide of the far post.
The visitors produced a spell of probing pressure after the break, with Billy Sharp's shot unluckily skidding over the crossbar, off the head of Burton skipper John Mousinho. The hosts hit back with the move of the game - only for El Khayati to fire narrowly over from 12 yards. Sharp, looking to add to this six-goal tally, was denied by the legs of McLaughlin and also had a shot deflected wide.
Mousinho might have snatched the decisive goal nine minutes from the end but fired over from El Khayati's corner. McLaughlin got down well to push wide a low shot from United substitute Martyn Woolford to ensure the game ended goalless.
Blades boss Nigel Adkins will be without the services of John Brayford, Bob Harris, Stefan Scougall (calf) and Terry Kennedy (knee), whom all remain side-lined through injury. Defender Craig Alcock became the latest casualty (bruised hip) to the injury list, after he was substituted at half-time during the win over Doncaster, his injury was most likely caused in the incident which led to Gary MacKenzie's dismissal. They are also expected to be without Jay McEvereley (pelvis) and Jamal Campbell-Ryce (ankle) through injury.
The visitors will also be boosted by the return of Matt Done (collarbone), who was an unused substitute on Tuesday night, whilst Jose Baxter, who was rested at Burton, is also expected to return. Forward Che Adams is also an option, he too missed the trip to Pirelli Stadium in midweek, but due to discipline reasons.
Oldham have now drawn all of their five away games in Sky Bet League One after securing a 1-1 result at Port Vale. Colin Daniel threatened with a couple of headers from corners as Vale controlled most of a mediocre opening half hour. And Vale striker Ajay Leitch-Smith squandered the first real chance when he took too long to shoot and Jonathan Smith made a saving tackle. Oldham took the lead against the run of play in the 35th minute when Michael Higdon, on loan from Sheffield United, scored his first goal for the club.
Mike Jones flighted a right-wing corner to the far post where Higdon rose highest to power a downward header inside Jak Alnwick's right-hand post from 10 yards. And Higdon should have scored again in the 45th minute when he blazed over the bar after Alnwick could only block Dominic Poleon's shot into his path. Poleon also went close to doubling Oldham's lead early in the second half before Vale upped their game and equalised through substitute Uche Ikpeazu in the 70th minute.
Increasing pressure led to Sam Foley sliding the ball into the path of Ikpeazu who placed a low, left foot shot just inside David Cornell's left-hand post from eight yards. Vale looked the most likely winners after that before Poleon headed narrowly wide for the visitors two minutes from time.
The Vale are expected to welcome back Louis Dodds (calf) after recovering from injury, whilst boss Robert Page has seen Crystal Place loanee Ryan Inniss (dislocated shoulder) return to Selhurst Park due to injury.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Port Vale 0 Sheffield United 3