Under a new leadership of Chris Morgan and David Unsworth the Blades (following the dismissal of Danny Wilson) got back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Swindon Town. Goals from Chris Porter (37 minutes) and Dave Kitson (82) earned their first victory since Good Friday.
The win put United to fifth in the table and six points behind second placed Bournemouth, although the S2 club have two games in hand over the Cherries.
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.
Brentford lay fourth in the League One table following their 3-2 victory at home to Portsmouth last Saturday. 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.
The victory keeps the Bees amongst the shouts for automatic promotion, they have one game in hand over Bournemouth but are two points behind the Cherries, also they face Doncaster Rovers (home) on the final day of the season – obviously tonight’s match will bare a huge impact for both teams involved.
Bees boss Uwe Rosler is expected to be without duo; Keeper Richard Lee (shoulder) and defender Scott Barron (hip) are both out after surgery, but should see midfielders Kevin O'Connor and Farid El Alagui included in the eighteen man squad after recovering from injury.
The Bees could field former Sheffield United trialist Shaleum Logan, 23 who played for the Blades in pre-season fixtures against Mansfield Town and Burton Albion in July 2010. He had initially joined from Manchester City but failed to secure a contract. He has also represented Stockport County, Scunthorpe United, Grimsby Town and Tranmere Rovers on loan.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 2-1 Brentford
Head-to-Head
Brentford were formed in the same glorious year as the Blades in 1889 but they didn't first meet in the league until December 1934 in the Second Division where at Bramall Lane the Bees won 2-1 - United were languishing below mid-table whilst Brentford were top of the league. Later in the season, on 4 May capped winning the league with a 3-1 victory.
Overall the London club have the better record between the two clubs with 11 wins to United's 8, but at Bramall Lane it's fairly even with four wins each from twelve matches. Earlier in the season the Bees won 2-0 (24 November) with goals from Clayton Donaldson (3) and Harry Forrester (29) which until last weeks defeat at Stevenage was the Blades last defeat away from home.
|
League form versus Brentford.... |
||||||
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
|
|
Home |
12 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
22 |
17 |
|
Away |
13 |
4 |
2 |
7 |
17 |
21 |
|
Total |
25 |
8 |
6 |
11 |
39 |
38 |
* Statistics correct up to and including 15 April 2013