Without kicking a ball in anger last Tuesday Portsmouth, Bury and Hartlepool United were officially relegated to League Two – leaving just Scunthorpe United the last of the bottom four left battling for survival but they too could learn their demise tomorrow if either they lose at MK Dons or Colchester United and (or) Oldham Athletic win their matches against Shrewsbury Town and Crawley Town respectively.
The Blades made gaining automatic more of a struggle when they drew 2-2 with Brentford last Tuesday night. It was a bizarre night that saw four goals, four penalties and three red cards. Marcello Trotta (24 minutes) opened the scoring from the spot after Clayton Donaldson was fould in the box by keeper George Long.
Shortly after the break United were awarded a penalty when Dave Kitson was fouled in an off the ball incident which Tony Craig was handed a straight red card by referee Keith Stroud. Tony McMahon blasted his effort against the crossbar. But soon levelled when, following a handball in the box Barry Robson (62) converted.
Kitson (68) headed home Jamie Murphy’s deadly cross to put the Blades in front and on 71 minutes the visitors were given their second penalty of the match; Harry Maguire picked up his second booking of the night and United reduced to ten men – Sam Saunders however saw his shot saved by Long.
Donaldson was handed his second booking for a rough challenge and in the dying minutes substitute Bradley Wight-Phillips (89) scored in front of their own fans to earn the Bees a point.
Blades boss Chris Morgan without striker Shaun Miller (cruciate knee ligament); meanwhile keeper Mark Howard (thigh) and defender Lescinel Jean-Francois (knee) have returned to training but are unlikely to see first team action soon. He is also without Diego DeGirolamo (knee) through injury.
He is also without centre-half Harry Maguire following his dismissal last Tuesday night and will serve a one match ban but will be available for selection at Crewe Alexandra next Tuesday. His absences will likely draft Tony McMahon into the middle with Danny Higginbotham installed at right full-back.
Striker Dave Kitson, who has netted twelve goals for United this season is likely to start against his former club; he signed for the Fratton Park club from Stoke City in September 2010, making his debut in a 0-0 home draw with Ipswich Town and scored in his second outing (at Crystal Palace) despite defeat. During his two year spell he made 60 (+12) appearances and scored 12 goals before relegation last season sent the club into financial disarray and they were forced to axe all of their professional staff.
Portsmouth, whose relegation to League Two was officiated on Tuesday night, became a long list of sorry affairs for the Hampshire club who were FA Cup Winners in 2008 and only five years later following virtual financial meltdown will play basement football next season.
Despite their troubles the Blues have recently been in good form; they lost 3-2 dramatically to Brentford last Saturday but prior to that had gone on a five match unbeaten run. The Bees had to wait late on until they snatched the winner; Bradley Wright-Phillips (21) opened the scoring before Portsmouth – via David Connolly (26) levelled.
The hosts were pegged back with a Shaun Cooper (58) strike with two goals in two minutes deciding the match, firstly Wright-Phillips (85) netted to level before the ever dangerous Clayton Donaldson (86) scored the winner.
Blues boss Guy Whittingham, a former player with Sheffield Wednesday has just Ricardo Rocha (hamstring) unavailable from his squad selection due to injury; he is rated as doubtful.
Portsmouth could wheel out John Harley and Johannes Ertl to face there former club.
Harley spent two successful loan spells at Bramall Lane (October 2002 to January 2003 & September 2003 to October 2003) before signing permanently on a free transfer in June 2004 from Fulham. He initially made his debut in a 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest and went onto play a total of 71 (+1) appearances and netted twice for the Blades. He moved to Burnley on loan in August 2005 before making a full £75,000 transfer to the Turf Moor club.
Ertl was released by the Blades in July 2012 after a two year spell with the club, he had signed in a free transfer from Crystal Palace in September 2010 and made his debut in a 1-1 draw at Cardiff City, though injury dampened his career with United. He made 30 (+14) appearances without scoring.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Portsmouth 0-2 Sheffield United