Blades boss Nigel Clough has rejuvenated Sheffield United since his appointment last October and as well has guiding the S2 club into the semi-final of the FA Cup (which is without doubt a great achievement for a League One club) and under his guidance, including the cup has won their last ten matches straight and with Mark Howard in goal during that duration has kept a clean sheet in all but one of these games. Having languishing in the bottom four in very early February United now boast an 11th placed position and could move to 8th should they claim maximum points at Deepdale tonight.
Jose Baxter's first-half goal was enough to give Sheffield United their 10th straight win as they beat struggling Carlisle 1-0 in our last game. The Blades, who secured their place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup the previous weekend, were on top for most of the game and Carlisle had goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to thank for saving them from a heavier defeat. Pickford was called into action inside the opening minute of the match, keeping out Jamie Murphy's low, angled shot. Stefan Scougall then shot straight at the Carlisle goalkeeper while Baxter put an effort wide.
Scougall had another chance when he was through on goal, but his shot was saved by Pickford with his legs. The goal came in the 28th minute when Conor Coady's driven pass found Baxter in the area and he composed himself before putting a low shot just inside Pickford's left-hand post. Carlisle’s best spell came in the latter stages of the game David Amoo's header was cleared off the goal line by Ben Davies, while Brad Potts and David Symington had efforts deflected wide.
United boast no injury concerns to note, however they are without Belgian midfielder Florent Cuvelier (ligaments) is sidelined for the remainder of the season. Meanwhile defensive duo Neill Collins and Matt Hill are likely to be called upon to face their former club tonight...
Collins joined the Lilywhites after a successful loan spell; initially signing in September 2009 (from Wolverhampton Wanderers) and made his deal permanent in January. However, he made too few appearances before joining Leeds United (on loan) in February 2010. He had made his debut at home to Coventry City in a 3-2 win. He scored his only goal for North End against Ipswich Town (2-0) and made his final appearance at Derby County (lost 3-5) on 16 February before moving to Elland Road and signed permanent in the summer. He made a total of 20 (+2) appearances for the Lancashire side and scored just once.
Hill is also a former custodian of the Lancashire side; he signed for £100,000 from Bristol City in January 2005, ending a seven year spell at Ashton Gate. He made his debut in a 1-1 draw with Leicester City and he too was on the losing side (along with Richard Cresswell) in the Play-Off Final against West Ham United. In September 2008 he ended his association with Preston, signing for Wolverhampton Wanderers after making 107 (+12) appearances without scoring.
Preston North End have found themselves storming up the league table after what was a disappointing season last season. They have been beaten just once in their last 14 games, this however was in the FA Cup to Nottingham Forest and their last taste of defeat was on 11 January at Wolverhampton (0-2) - they have won just six games during this run and currently lay 4th in the table, despite drawing 1-1 with lowly Stevenage last week.
Lilywhites boss Simon Grayson has very little injury concerns to worry about having seen Bailey Wright (knock) and John Welsh (knee) return to action against Boro, leaving forward Josh King (foot) his only injury concern.
The Lilywhites are likely to call up the services of striker Kevin Davies who was born in Sheffield and played as youth for Sheffield United. However he was released by the Blades in 1992 aged 15 were he eventually made the grade with Chesterfield and signed professional terms in April 1994 and went onto bigger and better things - including a single cap for England in 2010. He has turned out for Southampton (two spells), Blackburn Rovers, Millwall (loan) and Bolton Wanderers, all mostly at top flight level before joining Preston in July 2013 on a free transfer.
They may also call upon the services of striker Paul Gallacher who is currently on loan from Leicester City. He was a Blades loanee from the Foxes on a month’s loan in October 2012 under then manger Danny Wilson - making his debut in a 1-1 home draw with Bury and scored once in a 2-1 league win at Hartlepool. He returned to Leicestershire having made 6 appearances and scored once.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Preston North End 0 Sheffield United 0